A cousin of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Don Pedro Obaseki, has announced plans to institute legal action over an alleged incident of harassment that occurred on December 28 in Benin City.
In a statement released on Sunday, Obaseki said the decision followed wide-ranging consultations with his wife and children, members of the Obaseki family and clan, senior legal practitioners and respected elders.
He explained that the move was neither motivated by revenge nor politics, but was aimed at ensuring accountability, deterring similar actions in the future and upholding human dignity.
According to him, he was publicly accosted by armed men in what he described as a brazen daylight operation allegedly intended to instil fear among members of the public.
Obaseki said that on December 28, suspected thugs seized him and stripped him naked at Uwa Primary School, where he had gone to play football. The incident, he noted, was captured in a viral video.
He added that he was taken to the palace and forced to kneel at the gate, claiming that the suspected thugs told palace guards they had brought an Oghion (enemy) of the Oba.
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However, some palace chiefs were said to have intervened, stating that there was no need for trouble and that anyone who considered himself an enemy of the Oba should be left alone. Despite objections from the suspected thugs, the chiefs later allowed him into the palace.
Obaseki said he was subsequently detained for several hours without any disclosed allegation or lawful charge, even though he sustained injuries during the ordeal.
Describing the incident as a serious breach of his fundamental rights, he said the acts amounted to terrorism-related violence under Nigerian law, citing the use of armed force, explicit threats to life, public intimidation and the deliberate creation of fear beyond the immediate victim.
He disclosed that his abductors claimed they were acting on the instructions of the Oba of Benin or the Oba’s Palace.
However, Obaseki confirmed that the claim had been formally and expressly refuted by the Benin Traditional Council, which issued a widely publicised letter categorically denying any involvement, authorisation or prior knowledge of the acts.
He said both civil and criminal proceedings would be pursued simultaneously, in line with Nigerian and international law, while respecting the presumption of innocence.
Given the gravity of the allegations and their broader implications for public safety and the rule of law, Obaseki also disclosed that he had notified and was engaging international human-rights bodies and partners.
“This is to announce my decision to seek redress in court following my harassment on December 28 in Benin,” he said.
“The step is aimed at ensuring independent oversight, transparency and proper monitoring of investigations and judicial processes, in line with Nigeria’s constitutional obligations and international commitments.
“My action is not only to restore my personal dignity and protect my family, but also to send a clear message that no individual or group has the right to abduct, brutalise or publicly dehumanise any citizen outside the law.
“Out of respect for ongoing investigations and court proceedings, I will make no further factual or evidentiary comments at this stage,” he said.
Obaseki stated that he welcomed and accepted the clarification issued by the Benin Traditional Council as the official position of the Palace and noted it as part of the public record.
He further emphasised that the legal action was directed solely at the individual perpetrators and any persons who may be found, through due process, to have aided, facilitated or enabled the offences, whether by direct action, impersonation of authority, abuse of office or omission.
To pursue the case, he disclosed that he had consulted renowned human-rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, who will serve as lead counsel.
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