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Probe the Barbaric Attack on Pedro Obaseki – Lawyer Tells Edo Govt, Security Agency
Rockson A. Igelige, a prominent Nigerian entertainment and intellectual property (IP) lawyer, has condemned the attack on Nigerian Filmmaker, Don Pedro Obaseki describing it as “barbaric, criminal, and totally unacceptable.”
Igelige, a former student of Obaseki at the University of Benin, demanded an investigation and justice, stating that the actions are a gross violation of Obaseki’s fundamental human rights.
He called on the Edo State Government, security agencies, and authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Igelige highlighted Obaseki’s contributions to the creative industry and cultural advocacy, saying he would continued to stand in solidarity with him.
BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports Obaseki was unlawfully assaulted, humiliated, and degraded by a group of thugs within the palace of the Oba of Benin on Sunday in Benin City, Edo State capital.
He was said to have gone on his regular football exercise at Uwa Primary School when the thugs swooped on him.
The attackers, claiming Obaseki is an “Oghionoba,” ambushed, kidnapped, stripped, molested, and harassed him, forcing him to kneel and crawl within the Palace of the Oba of Benin premises.
Reacting to the incident, the human rights lawyer, Igelige, said that Obaseki, an illustrious son of Benin had contributed to the creative industry, cultural advocacy, and public discourse and didn’t deserved the ill-treatment by the supposed mobs.
He said that the action of those behind the attack, though they claimed to be acting on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council, do not represent the values, culture, history, or true character of the Benin people.
Igelige said; “Let me emphasise that the ambushing, kidnapping, stripping, molestation, harassment, tongue-lashing amidst threats of death, and coercive dragging of Dr Obaseki to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, under the claim that he is an “Oghionoba,” while he was on his regular football exercise at Uwa Primary School in Benin City, is barbaric, criminal, and totally unacceptable under the rule of law.
“This act is condemnable, shameful, and in every sense, very un-Benin.
“The actions captured in widely circulated videos, showing Dr Obaseki stripped to his boxers, forced to kneel, and made to crawl within palace premises, constitute a gross violation of his fundamental human rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“No allegation, cultural dispute, or political disagreement justifies mob action, public humiliation, or physical abuse of any citizen.
“It is important to state clearly that those who carried out this attack, even if they claim to be acting on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council, do not represent the values, culture, history, or true character of the Benin people. The Benin nation is historically known for order, dignity, civility, and respect for authority exercised within clearly defined cultural and legal boundaries. Barbarism, hooliganism, and mob violence are alien to the authentic Benin ethos and must not be falsely clothed with tradition.
“Dr Don Pedro Obaseki is an illustrious son of Benin whose contributions to the creative industry, cultural advocacy, and public discourse are properly documented. He has consistently projected Benin customs, traditions, values, and history with intellectual depth. At no time has he posed a threat to public peace, communal harmony, or the authority of any traditional institution.
“I therefore call on the Edo State Government, the State Command, the State Commissioner of Police, relevant security agencies, and appropriate authorities to immediately commence a transparent and thorough investigation into this matter and ensure that all those involved, regardless of status or affiliation, are brought to justice. Justice must not only be done, but it must also be seen to be done, particularly given how glaringly the video of the mob action against Dr Don Pedro has gone viral.
“I stand in solidarity with Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, my lecturer in Theatre Arts for three years at the University of Benin at this painful and humiliating moment. He deserves respect, and redress”, he wrote.
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