Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson denies assaulting a public officer as the government launches an investigation.
The Lagos State government has announced the launch of an investigation into a viral video alleging that the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, assaulted a public officer.
The commissioner was seen having a heated argument with the owner of the firm that manages the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History, Qudus Onikeku.
A press statement issued from her office said: “The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has been drawn to a viral video circulating on social media regarding an incident at the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. It is imperative to set the records straight & clarify the events that led to the said video.
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka has the statutory responsibility of oversight over all facilities under the Ministry’s purview.
In line with this mandate, she embarked on an inspection visit to the J.K. Randle Centre.
During the inspection, it was discovered that the Centre Director, Qudus Onikeku, was illegally operating a canteen within the premises without the knowledge and approval of the Ministry.
This prompted Mrs Benson-Awoyinka to question the presence of the establishment and initiated an eviction which the Centre Director violently resisted and had his team attack officials of the Ministry.
