Mrs. Juliet Enabulele-Asein, a reporter with the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) who says she was assaulted by Kelly Okungbowa (popularly known as “Ebo Stone”), has accused officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, of conducting a “ceremonial” meeting with the accused without her presence — and without her consent.

“To my utmost surprise, the NUJ that had vowed to stand by me in the statement just had its officials ceremonial handshakes with Mr Okungbowa. I was not even invited to the meeting. Initially, I heard that the NUJ wanted to have a World Press Conference, they but ended up having a meeting with them,” Mrs. Asein wrote in a post shared on social media. Instagram

NUJ condemnation, then ‘resolution’

The assault — which reportedly took place at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, during an empowerment event for persons with disabilities — has been widely reported by local media. According to several accounts, Mrs. Asein and a cameraman, Bright Osifo, were manhandled by an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo, identified as Kelly Okungbowa. The initial NUJ statement condemned the attack and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged assailant. Vanguard News+1

In the days that followed, however, the NUJ Edo State Council announced that the matter had been “fully resolved” after what it described as stakeholder intervention. That announcement prompted debate online and among media stakeholders about whether the journalist’s rights and voice were fully respected in the process. DAILY TIMES Nigeria

Victim says she was sidelined

Mrs. Asein’s social-media posts — which have been shared and discussed widely across platforms — make clear her dissatisfaction with how the follow-up was handled. In addition to accusing NUJ officials of meeting and exchanging handshakes with Mr. Okungbowa, she says she was not invited to the follow-up meeting and that the original promise of a “World Press Conference” never materialised. The posts have sparked questions about representation and the role of unions when a member’s safety and justice are at stake. Instagram

Several commenters on social media asked where Mrs. Asein was during the NUJ meeting and whether the union’s leadership consulted her before concluding the matter — concerns that have echoed in Facebook posts and community groups across Edo State. Facebook+1

Civil society and public reaction

Civil society organisations and press-freedom advocates quickly condemned the alleged assault and urged due process. The Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights called the act “reckless” and demanded that those responsible be held to account, while urging government officials to distance themselves from such conduct. The coalition cited constitutional guarantees of dignity and freedom of expression in its rebuke. Sahara Reporters

Meanwhile, widespread social-media coverage — including videos and eyewitness posts — kept pressure on authorities and the NUJ to demonstrate transparency in any resolution. Some posts questioned whether informal settlements or quiet reconciliations were being pursued in lieu of formal legal action. YouTube+1

What the NUJ said (official line)

In its public statements, the NUJ Edo State Council condemned the assault, called for an immediate probe, and—according to reports—later announced a resolution had been reached following stakeholder engagement. The union has not published, at least in the public domain, a detailed account of the terms of that resolution or whether Mrs. Asein’s grievances were fully addressed in writing. Vanguard News+1

Calls for clarity and due process

Media-rights watchers and some journalists in Edo have urged the NUJ to publish the minutes or outcome of the meeting that led to the “resolution,” and to confirm whether Mrs. Asein personally accepted the outcome. They argue that unions must both defend members and preserve public confidence by being transparent when resolving cases that attract public interest.

Mrs. Asein’s account — that she was excluded from the meeting and that NUJ officials shook hands with the accused — has amplified calls for an independent, documented investigation into the incident and for the safety of journalists at official events to be taken seriously.

Where things stand

At the time of writing:

• Local outlets reported the alleged assault and the NUJ’s condemnation; authorities have faced public pressure to act. Vanguard News+1

• The NUJ has announced the matter was “resolved” following stakeholder intervention, but the full text of any resolution or whether it included reparations, apology, or legal steps has not been made public. DAILY TIMES Nigeria

• Mrs. Asein maintains she was not invited and that NUJ officials engaged in a “ceremonial handshake” with Mr. Okungbowa — a claim that has circulated on social media and fuelled calls for transparency. Instagram

Conclusion

The assault allegation against Kelly Okungbowa and the disputed handling of the aftermath have raised uncomfortable questions about accountability, the protection of journalists, and the role of professional bodies in defending their members. For the sake of justice and the protection of press freedom in Edo State, many observers say the NUJ should publish a clear account of the resolution reached and ensure Mrs. Asein’s voice and consent are central to any final settlement.