Senator Akobundu Accused Of Ordering Attack On Journalist At Funeral

Senator Austin Akobundu, representing Abia Central Senatorial district, is facing severe allegations after a journalist, Tony Icheku, claims the Senator ordered an assault on him at a funeral ceremony held in Ikwuano LGA on Thursday.

Icheku, a journalist and a public affairs analyst, alleges that he was physically manhandled by bouncers acting on the Senator’s instructions.

According to Icheku, the incident occurred while he attempted to photograph Senator Akobundu alongside one of the hosts of the funeral.

He claimed that the Senator signaled to security personnel who then forcibly removed him from the event canopy.

“They lifted me high and threw me out of the canopy,” Icheku stated in a “Save My Soul” statement.

He further alleged that Mr Friday Uko, a former Councillor of Ikwuano LGA and reportedly an aide to Senator Akobundu, exacerbated the situation. “Uko came and instructed the bouncers to deal ruthlessly with me and that the heavens will not fall,” Icheku claimed.

Sources on the scene corroborated Icheku’s account, confirming Uko’s alleged threats.

Icheku maintains that he had greeted Senator Akobundu cordially before the incident. “After greeting the Senator, I tried to take his picture with his host, suddenly his countenance changed and before I knew what was happening…” he said.

He added that his intervention was rescued by an aide of the Senator, putting on a Nigerian Army camouflage uniform.

Icheku claimed he is now suffering from injuries sustained during the alleged assault. “I am in severe pain now from one of my scrotums due to the attack from the muscle men… I did not show any disrespect to Akobundu,” he said, visibly distraught.

The journalist further explained that he has been critical of Senator Akobundu’s performance as a representative. “As a journalist, I have called him out to be accountable to his constituency.

“He has failed to respond to my various questions on issues of representation. He has never called a town hall meeting…but I least expected this level of viciousness and thuggery from a politician of his status…”

Icheku also cited Section 39(1) of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. “It explicitly states that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’,” he argued.

Senator Akobundu’s office has yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations. Efforts to reach the Senator and Friday Uko for comment have been unsuccessful at the time of publication.

This incident raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Nigeria and the potential for abuse of power by elected officials. Further investigations are expected to follow.