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Tag: Pedro Obaseki

  • I didn’t authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin

    I didn’t authorise manhandling of Obaseki, says Oba of Benin

    The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has said he never authorised the manhandling of a former Managing Director of Daar Communication, Dr. Pedro Obaseki.

    He said he remained a father of all.

    The former Daar Communication boss was, on Sunday, abducted where he was playing football by suspected thugs.

    He was beaten up, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City on allegation of being an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).

    Obaseki was taken to the Oba’s Palace from where he was taken to the police station.

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    The Benin Monarch, in a statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, advised youths not to take the law into their hands on any issue, no matter the degree of provocation. 

    The statement said: “The Benin Traditional Council uses this medium to inform the public that the unfortunate incident in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorised by the Oba of Benin.

    And it cannot be authorised because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.

    “The Benin Traditional Council also wishes to advise our youths not to take the law into their hands on any issue, no matter the degree of provocation. They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate security agencies handle all matters.

    “Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.”

  • Ex-Daar Communication boss names attackers

    Ex-Daar Communication boss names attackers

    Former Managing Director of Daar Communication Dr. Pedro Obaseki has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over unlawful abduction, brutal assault, public humiliation and unlawful detention he suffered on Sunday in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Obaseki, a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was beaten up, stripped naked and paraded through the streets of Benin City by suspected thugs, who tagged him an ‘Oghionba’ (enemy of the Oba).

    In the petition addressed to the IGP, Obaseki said he was attacked and forcibly abducted by a group of men, some of whom were armed, at about 11:30am while he was playing football at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street.

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    He identified leaders of his abductors to include Kapuepue Adun, Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo and Osamiefan (aka “Sales Guy”).

    He alleged that his abductors repeatedly stated that they were acting on the instructions of the Oba’s Palace.

    He said: “I was beaten up, stripped naked, dragged publicly across major roads in Benin City, including in front of Holy Aruosa Church, paraded over a distance of approximately five kilometres, and forcibly taken to the Oba’s Palace, where the abuse continued.

    “Thereafter, I was taken to the Oba Market Police Station, where I was detained for about five hours. During this period, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, informed me that my release was subject to clearance from the Oba.”

    He said the actions constituted grave violations of his constitutional rights under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Police Act and professional standards and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments.

    Among the demands he made were an independent investigation into the conduct of all persons involved, determination of the role of law enforcement officers and appropriate disciplinary, criminal and civil actions where violations were established.