Assault on journalists: LASUTH blames ‘unknown attackers’

Simon Ateba

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital has distanced itself from the barbaric attack on journalists which occurred yesterday within its premises, saying that those who assaulted the press men are staff of TOS funerals, a private organisation, not under its direct management.

The attacks, carried out with bricks, bottles, stones and electric gadgets, were so severe Benedict Uwalaka, sustained a serious injury and was bleeding profusely as he was being rushed to the hospital.

The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. David Adewale Oke , who addressed journalists at a press conference this afternoon said TOS Funerals is a private-public organization under the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

“I was told that the attacks were carried out by some staff of TOS Funerals and some faceless people. They are not our direct staff. They are employed by TOS and are paid by TOS. It is Public Private Partnership under the Ministry of health,” Oke said

Oke said he did not know the identity of the suspects and did not know their whereabouts.

He disclosed that the journalist is being given adequate medical attention free of charge but did not know the degree of injury the journalist sustained.

He did not also know if the journalist could develop complications later in life after a bottle was broken on his head. “If it is a matter of the heart, I can answer,” Oke said.

He apologised to the media but added that it is unethical to take picture of dead bodies as this could attract litigation against the mortuary.

Oke also did not know the whereabouts of the Manager of the Mortuary, known as Mrs. Ogunsola.

“I am told she is outside the country, but I don’t know,” he said.

When P.M.NEWS visited the mortuary, Mrs. Ogunsola was said to be away. However, a manager at her organization, Mr. olumide Ogundipe, said he did not know the identity of the suspects.

He disclosed that the company will meet to decide the next line of action.

A spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Public Relations, said the two suspects, Bayo and Idowu, were still at large.
“They are still at large. But the journalist also has not reported to the police station as requested by the DPO,” he said.

Ngozi Braide, the PPRO, was said to be away.

Meanwhile, the photo journalist who was attacked yesterday, Mr. Benedict Uwalaka, a 36-year old senior photo journalist with the Leadership newspaper, was still in serious pains, his wife, Edith, said.

“My husband was bleeding this morning profusely. I was shedding tears when I saw him yesterday.He came back from the hospital yesterday and this morning, he started bleeding again. His face is swollen and he’s bleeding. He has gone back to the hospital,” said 29-year old wife, when P.M.NEWS and other journalists paid her visit today.

Edith said she was afraid that her husband could die less than a year after they got married. “We got married on 29 October 2011 and we have no child at the moment,” she said, her voice breaking down.

The journalist’s landlady, Mrs. Titilola Lawal, who spoke in her local Yoruba dialect, told our correspondent through an interpreter that Uwalaka has been a good tenant for about six years he has been living in her house.

“He is a law abiding tenant. We have never had misunderstanding,” Mrs. Lawal said, adding in pidgin English, “e no be bad people,” meaning he is a good man.