By Abdulwahab Abdulah

LAGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed February 27 to hear the fundamental rights suit filed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, against the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and eight others over alleged assault of one of its members.

The chapter had filed the case against the defendants on behalf of a Badagry-based journalist, Otunba Yomi Olomofe, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of the human person and freedom of expression and the press, following the assault and beating he suffered in the hands of the Customs and some suspected hoodlums allegedly hired by the Custom officials.

When the matter came up yesterday before Justice A. Anka, none of the defendants was in court nor represented. Counsel representing the plaintiff, Adelayo Banjo of Jiti Ogunye Chambers informed the court that the defendants are yet to be served on the processes of the case.

The court fixed February 27 for the hearing of the case while directing that all processes be served the defendants.

NUJ is asking for N500 million as special and exem-plary damages for the violation of the applicant’s rights.