The Lagos State government has initiated an investigation into a viral video that shows Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, involved in a scuffle with a man who was filming her. The incident, which has generated significant attention on social media, took place at the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. The video depicts the Commissioner in a heated argument with Qudus Onikeku, the director of the Centre, and later attempting to stop one of his security aides from filming the encounter.
In the footage, the disagreement between Benson-Awoyinka and Onikeku escalates when the Commissioner becomes visibly upset after discovering that one of Onikeku’s security aides was recording the altercation. The situation soon grows tense as Benson-Awoyinka appears to stand up and confront the individual, demanding that they stop filming. The video, which has since gone viral, has raised questions about the nature of the confrontation and its appropriateness.
Following the circulation of the video, a statement was issued from the office of the Commissioner, shedding light on the events that led to the confrontation. According to the statement, the Commissioner was conducting an inspection of the J.K. Randle Centre as part of her statutory duties, which include oversight of all facilities under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.
During the inspection, the statement reveals, it was discovered that Onikeku was operating an unauthorized canteen within the Centre without the Ministry’s approval. This led to a discussion about the establishment’s presence at the facility, and the Commissioner reportedly initiated an eviction of the unauthorized canteen. The situation quickly became heated when Onikeku reportedly resisted the eviction, and his team allegedly began to attack Ministry officials.
The statement further emphasizes that non-state actors, who were not authorized to be present, accompanied Onikeku and began filming the proceedings without permission. The Commissioner’s office clarified that recording a meeting without consent from the presiding authority is a breach of protocol. Benson-Awoyinka maintained that her actions were in line with standard administrative procedures, ensuring that only authorized individuals were present during official meetings.
The statement also addressed claims of physical aggression. The Commissioner categorically denied assaulting anyone, stating that it was a senior female member of her team who was physically assaulted by individuals accompanying Onikeku. The statement asserts that the video circulated online misrepresents the events and was intended to discredit the Commissioner.
“This is a clear attempt to mislead the public,” the statement added, emphasizing that the video was edited and manipulated to create a false narrative. The Commissioner’s office stressed that the purpose of the video was likely to blackmail her and distort the facts surrounding the incident.
The Ministry also confirmed that an investigation has been ordered to thoroughly examine the events and determine appropriate actions. The Commissioner reaffirmed her commitment to transparency and accountability in all her official duties. “The Ministry remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and the efficient management of all its facilities,” the statement declared.
The Commissioner urged the public to disregard any misrepresentations of the incident and focus on the Ministry’s dedication to excellence in public service. She reiterated that her actions were solely intended to protect the integrity of the Ministry’s operations and ensure that all activities at the Centre complied with legal and administrative protocols.
The Lagos State government’s investigation is expected to shed further light on the altercation, as public interest in the matter continues to grow. Meanwhile, both Benson-Awoyinka and Onikeku have remained firm in their positions, with the former maintaining that she was simply carrying out her official duties as mandated by her role in the state government.
