By Olusola Abisoye (Judiciary Reporter)
A senior journalist formerly with FRESH NEWS, Desmond Utomwen , who was allegedly brutalised by the police and the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) while on official assignment sometime in 2009, has finally been given a hearing at the court of appeal on Tuesday.
Utomwen claims he was assaulted on December 2009, eleven years ago, while carrying out his duties in Abuja. He was arrested and locked in the Garki police station.
Utomwen said he challenged the police ill- treatment at the court to enforce his fundamental human rights of freedom of speech. The case was finalised three years later, with the court giving a judgement of N100 million paid as damages in favour of Utomwen.
However, it was appealed against by the other parties for another seven years.
The court would finally give a hearing for the case on September 22, 2020.
Utomwen calls for other journalists to turn up to support him as he seeks justice, while also stating that the case be a deterrent to police brutality on journalists. (source: crestng.com). NNL.
