Dr Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, has announced plans to institute legal action over an alleged public abduction and assault he said he suffered in Benin City.
According to Obaseki, the incident occurred on December 28, 2025, at Uwa Primary School, where he had gone to play football.
He alleged that suspected thugs attacked him at the venue, forcibly dragged him to the palace of the Oba of Benin, and subjected him to physical abuse and public humiliation.
Obaseki claimed he was compelled to crawl before some chiefs, while videos of the incident, which later went viral, showed the attackers chanting hostile slogans.
He further alleged that he was beaten, stripped naked, threatened with death and paraded through major streets in Benin City as his ordeal was filmed and live-streamed.
In a statement, Obaseki said his decision to approach the court followed extensive consultations with his immediate family, members of the Obaseki clan, senior legal advisers and respected elders.
He stressed that the action was not motivated by revenge or political considerations but by a desire to ensure accountability, deter future abuses and uphold human dignity.
He described the incident as a blatant violation of his fundamental rights and said the acts amounted to terrorism-related violence under Nigerian law, citing the alleged use of armed force, threats to life and public intimidation.
However, Obaseki acknowledged that the Benin Traditional Council had publicly denied any involvement or authorisation of the incident, adding that he accepted the council’s position and welcomed its clarification as part of the public record.
To pursue the case, Obaseki said he has engaged renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, as lead counsel.
He disclosed that both civil and criminal proceedings would be initiated concurrently, in line with Nigerian and international legal standards, while respecting the presumption of innocence.
Obaseki also revealed that, given the gravity of the allegations and their implications for public safety and the rule of law, he has formally notified and is engaging with international human rights organisations and partners.
