Newspaper reports in Owerri has quoted the member representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Orie denying slapping an Owerri based journalist, Mr. Destiny Isinwa.
Isinwa who works for a local tabloid in Owerri in a post on facebook said Hon Orie slapped him when he went to cover an event at the Imo State Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress.
Widespread condemnations had trailed the action of the lawmaker with the Coalition of Journalists, COJAC orderin him to tender an unreserved apology to Mr. Isinwa and to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.
Orie, according to reports denied assaulting the reporter, saying he had no encounter with the journalist as he is not known for such acts or behaviour.