Man Who Assaulted Government Critic rewarded N1.1m

Is it better to be a government critic especially when things seem to be going out of hand or to slam those who criticise governments for whatever reason?

You probably would be able to make up your mind after reading this stuff. It is about a man who stands to earn N1.1 million in cash rewards because he allegedly assaulted a government critic, Albert Obaze, in the United Kingdom.

The reward is promised by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Osamwonyi Evbaguehita Atu, alongside two other public officials.

The decision to reward the man is already triggering widespread criticism, but it leaves to be seen if that would dissuade the benefactors from going ahead with their promise.

Ehimare Erewele, popularly known as “Double Chief” has been promised N300,000 from the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Osamwonyi Evbaguehita Atu; N500,000 from the Edo State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Patrick Aisowieren and N300,000 from the Acting Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Gabriel Iduseri.

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The pledges were made public in a viral video circulated immediately after the incident, showing the political figures exchanging banter with the attacker and openly commending him for the assault.

The victim, Albert Obaze, is a social media influencer and government critic and was conducting a livestream in the UK when he was suddenly confronted and physically assaulted by Erewele.

The incident promptly attracted media attention, with the government officials making the willingness to support the attacker known.

It has thrown up in the public domain: is it better to be a government critic or be its apologist?