By Henry Ojelu
Former Managing Director of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. Pedro Obaseki, has narrated how he was allegedly assaulted, abducted and detained on Sunday, December 28, while playing football in Benin City, Edo State.
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In a statement, Obaseki said the incident occurred between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, when he was “suddenly attacked by a group of men,” some of whom he claimed were armed.
“They forcibly abducted and kidnapped me,” he said, adding that the attackers identified themselves and that the incident had been reported to law enforcement authorities.
Obaseki alleged that his assailants claimed they were acting on instructions from the Oba of Benin’s Palace.
According to him, “they repeatedly stated that they had been sent by the Oba’s Palace to seize me.”
He said the attackers told him the Palace was angry over a speech he delivered to Edo people in London, allegedly because he ended the address with “Edo gha to kpere” (Long live the Edo people) instead of “Oba gha to kpere” (Long live the Oba of Benin).
“They further claimed that they had been sent to deal with any Obaseki, beginning with me,” he stated, alleging threats of further attacks on members of his family.
Obaseki alleged that he was beaten and dragged through parts of Benin City, including Igbesanmwan Road, the front of Holy Aruosa Church and Ring Road, before being taken into the Oba’s Palace.
“I was severely beaten, dragged along the streets and stripped completely naked,” he said, adding that the alleged abuse and public humiliation occurred over several kilometres.
According to him, he was further assaulted within the Palace premises and forced to kneel.
“While in this condition, I attempted to plead for my life and dignity as the Oba drove past me within the Palace compound,” he stated.
He alleged that he was later taken in a Hilux vehicle to the Oba Market Police Station, where he was detained for about five hours.
Obaseki said the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the station on three occasions and told him “that I would be released pending clearance from the Oba.”
“Eventually, at about 5:15 p.m., I was released from custody,” he said.
Obaseki maintained that his account was “a true and accurate narration of the events as they occurred.” Efforts to get reactions from the Palace and the police were unsuccessful as of press time.
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