‘Assaulted’ journalist demands N100m in damages

Tony Christian, publisher of Daily Intel Newspaper and Subnews Magazine, has sought justice following his alleged assault and unlawful detention by staff of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria on February 20, 2025, during an official engagement. In a letter to Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council, Christian’s solicitors, Geoffrey Uwadiegbu […]

Tony Christian, publisher of Daily Intel Newspaper and Subnews Magazine, has sought justice following his alleged assault and unlawful detention by staff of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria on February 20, 2025, during an official engagement.

In a letter to Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council, Christian’s solicitors, Geoffrey Uwadiegbu Oputa, Esq., detailed an exchange that escalated into confrontation.

Christian was reportedly detained in a room, faced physical intimidation, and was pressured to reveal his phone’s password. His phone was taken, resulting in the loss of crucial work materials, contacts, and private messages.

During the incident, Christian was forced to write an apology, drafted by the staff, under threat of further violence. After his release, he required medical attention for injuries sustained.

Christian’s legal representatives demanded a public acknowledgment from the Agricultural Research Council, to be published in three national newspapers, and seek compensation of N100,000,000. They have set a deadline for compliance by February 28, 2025, warning of potential legal action.

The letter states: “On 20 February 2025, while on official duty, you engaged in an exchange of words with our client. Following this altercation, you ordered staff to beat, arrest, and detain him.

“While detained, his phone was forcibly taken. When staff could not access it, he was subjected to severe beatings to reveal the password, resulting in the loss of contacts and business correspondence worth hundreds of millions of Naira.

“After erasing messages from his phone, you compelled him to write a letter of apology under threat of further punishment. He was allowed to leave only after copying and signing the apology.

“In light of this, our client demands an apology to be published in three national newspapers by 28 February 2025 for the assault, false imprisonment, destruction of work materials, and unlawful detention.

“Failure to comply will result in legal action against you and your organisation.”