Anonymous individuals have begun circulating an old video that allegedly shows Hon. Tunji Akinosi, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, being accused of assaulting a sachet water hawker. The video gained traction on social media platforms on Thursday, accompanied by provocative captions criticizing lawmakers.
The post sharing the video read: “This is another National Assembly member assaulting people on the road. What is wrong with these lawless idiots calling themselves House of Reps Members? Maybe they have a secret place in the National Assembly where they smoke something that makes them settle conflicts with fights instead of resolving them calmly. This one is even worse than the former. Attempting to beat up a woman? Somebody’s wife? Honestly, they do not know that Nigerians are unhappy with them.”
In response to the resurfacing of the video, Akinosi’s media aide condemned the individuals behind the distribution, calling them mischievous and uninformed about the details of the incident. “They are reviving an old issue from last year, long before the Honorable was sworn in. They seek attention, but they won’t find it,” the aide stated.
Background of the Incident
The event in question occurred in May 2023, shortly after Akinosi’s election, when he was allegedly involved in a confrontation with a street hawker following a minor accident. An initial video of the incident went viral, leading to widespread misconceptions of it being a violent altercation.
Akinosi clarified the situation, stating, “There was traffic along the Onikan route due to the May Day celebrations, leading to crowded conditions. One hawker accidentally damaged my car’s side mirror. When my driver assessed the situation, the hawker fell to the ground, claiming to have a broken leg, possibly expecting compensation.”
He described how tensions escalated as bystanders surrounded his vehicle, demanding he take responsibility for the alleged injury. “I suggested we either go to the police for a formal complaint and then to the hospital if injuries were confirmed or have the hawker cover my repair costs if he was not truly hurt. Upon hearing this, the hawker quickly begged to leave and return to work, acknowledging others had urged him to feign injury.”
Akinosi urged the public to remain calm and rational rather than succumb to mob mentality in similar situations.
Investigating the Source
Further investigation revealed that the woman who recorded the video, Thomas Abiodun, was a former employee of the Ogun State government who was dismissed for gross misconduct. Akinosi commented on her motivations, suggesting her intent was not genuine but rather to create a scene for notoriety.
He highlighted that Abiodun has previously posted disturbing content on social media, including accusations of being shot during the #EndSARS remembrance march, where she targeted prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu.
Akinosi’s aide concluded by emphasizing that those spreading misinformation about the lawmaker are misinformed and may be engaging in activities that could be categorized as cyberstalking, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
