Public outrage has intensified over the assault, public humiliation and detention of renowned Nigerian filmmaker and media executive, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, in Benin City, Edo State, with Amnesty International, human rights activists, lawyers and media figures describing the incident as barbaric, unlawful and a gross violation of human dignity.
Dr. Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications Plc and cousin to former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was on Sunday attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, Benin City. He was beaten, stripped naked, dragged through several streets and allegedly taken to the Oba of Benin’s Palace before being handed over to the police.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that it has opened an investigation into the incident, amid conflicting accounts over who carried out the arrest and assault.
Speaking during a Facebook Live broadcast monitored on Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, said he visited the Oba Market Police Station after the incident and ordered a probe.
“I went there; the matter is under investigation. I was at the Oba police station and I saw him,” Agbonika said. “I found out from the DPO that there have been complaints against him, and we have started investigations. You can be sure of best policing practices.”
Agbonika claimed that Obaseki was arrested by officers attached to the palace and later handed over to the police.
“What happened was that I understand that some officers working at the palace arrested him and handed him over to the police,” he said.
This account has been disputed by eyewitnesses and by Obaseki himself, who alleged that political thugs, reportedly led by the younger brother of a known political figure, Tony Kabaka, carried out the abduction before taking him to the palace.
In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric and unlawful.”
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the barbaric and unlawful abduction and humiliation of Mr. Pedro Obaseki, a renowned Nigerian filmmaker, who was attacked and stripped on Sunday by thugs at Uwa Primary School, where he went to play football,” the organisation said.
Amnesty added that Obaseki was dragged through the streets over alleged comments he made at a public gathering, stressing that the incident showed “complete disdain for due process.”
“The palace of the Oba of Benin where he was dragged to must distance itself from such bizarre impunity,” Amnesty said, urging the police to bring all those involved to justice.
Obaseki recounts ordeal
Speaking in an interview on AIT, Obaseki said the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. while he was playing football with members of the Uwa All Stars.
He alleged that armed men stormed the field, abducted him and dragged him through several streets of Benin City, claiming they were acting on the orders of the Oba of Benin’s Palace.
“I was physically abducted, in short, physically kidnapped, some of them holding guns,” he said. “I begged them to show me some form of ID, but I was beaten, dragged and stripped naked.”
He said he was later taken to the Oba Market Road police station, where the Commissioner of Police intervened and ordered his release.
According to Obaseki, he was told his alleged offence was making a public statement in London in which he said, “May Edo people live long and prosper,” instead of saying, “May the Oba live long and prosper.”
Condemnation spreads
Human rights lawyer and public analyst, Frank Tietie, described the incident as a shocking descent into barbarity.
“This gross violation of Dr. Obaseki’s human rights must be condemned by all well-meaning individuals worldwide,” Tietie said.
Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, said the treatment meted out to Obaseki was unacceptable.
“No one should be humiliated or mobbed for expressing his opinion,” Sowore said, calling for sanctions against all those involved.
ARISE Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, described Obaseki as “a national treasure” whose humiliation reflected poorly on Edo State.
Legal practitioner and commentator, Ifeanyi Agwuncha, said even if Obaseki’s comments were considered offensive, “there are better ways to address such issues than brutality and public humiliation.”
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, also condemned the assault on his cousin, blaming a “highly placed institution” and describing the incident as a disturbing abuse of power.
As calls for justice continue, rights groups insist that the police investigation must lead to concrete action to prevent a repeat of such lawlessness and impunity.
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