Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Toke Benson denies assaulting a public officer

The Lagos State government has announced the launch of an investigation into a viral video alleging that the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and 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.

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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.