By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The story of one Kelly Okungbowa, alias Ebo Stone, has taken yet another troubling turn, one that forces a deeper reflection on accountability, press freedom, and the growing culture of impunity in Nigeria’s public space.
Earlier reports confirmed that Ebo Stone allegedly assaulted a female journalist, Juliet Enabulele Asein of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), while she was covering a public event in Benin City on December 3, 2025.
The incident sparked outrage, particularly within media circles, and rightly so.
In response, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the attack and calling for his immediate arrest and a full-scale investigation. Signed by Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Comrade Andy Egbon, the statement described the assault as a direct attack on press freedom and a grave threat to democratic values.
As part of its push for accountability, the NUJ has officially submitted petitions to the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security Services (DSSS), formally requesting the arrest and investigation of Ebo Stone.
However, as this story continues to develop, another concern is emerging. Almost 24 hours after the incident was widely reported, there has been no official feedback from security agencies on whether Ebo Stone has been arrested or even invited for questioning.
This silence is unsettling. It raises uncomfortable questions about how seriously authorities treat attacks on journalists and whether the absence of prompt action only emboldens future aggressors.
Beyond the institutional outrage, Nigerians are now engaging in a larger debate: Has Ebo Stone already been blacklisted in the eyes of the media community, or is there still room for forgiveness if he chooses the path of remorse and accountability?
For many, this is no longer simply about a scuffle at a public event. It is about the extent to which society is willing to protect journalists who place themselves at risk daily in order to inform the public.
Every unaddressed attack weakens the foundation of democratic accountability, empowers abusers of power, and discourages journalists from carrying out their duties without fear.
Of course, forgiveness remains a possibility in any civil society, but only after justice is pursued and responsibility is accepted. The silence from security operatives, however, sends the wrong message.
As pressure mounts on the police and DSS to act, and as the NUJ intensifies its advocacy, this saga is still unfolding. The public deserves clarity, and the victim deserves justice.
At this moment, the eyes of the media, civil society, and the wider Edo public remain fixed on what happens next. Will the authorities finally respond? Will Ebo Stone face the consequences of his actions, or attempt to seek forgiveness and repair the damage?
Until answers emerge, this developing story continues to shape the conversation about journalist safety and the culture of accountability in Edo State, and indeed, in Nigeria at large.
