In light of the recent incident where he was stripped and dragged to Oba of Benin’s palace over alleged disrespect, cerebral filmmaker, Don Pedro Obaseki, has announced his decision to seek redress through the courts.
In December 2025, Mr Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, was attacked and stripped by youths who are said to be loyal to the Benin Traditional Council while he was playing football.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the attackers labelled him an ‘oghioba’ (enemy of the Oba) and forcibly dragged him to the Oba’s Palace.
He was then forced to crawl on his knees towards the palace chiefs, who tried to douse the situation.
Pursuing accountability
In a latest development, the renowned writer and director said that his decision to sue was taken after extensive consultations with his wife and children, members of the Obaseki family and clan, senior legal advisers and respected elders.
He noted that the move was driven, not by revenge or political motives, but by the need for accountability, deterrence and the protection of human dignity.
Mr Obaseki described the incident as a grave violation of his fundamental rights, stating that the acts amounted to terrorism-related violence under Nigerian law.
According to him, during the incident, his abductors claimed they were acting on the instructions of the Oba of Benin or the Oba’s Palace.
However, he confirmed that this claim has 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.
Legal action
Although Mr Obaseki said he welcomed and accepted the clarification as the official position of the Palace, the ‘Igodo’ director said that legal actions are now underway, strictly directed at the individual perpetrators and any persons who may be found, through due process, to have aided, facilitated or enabled the offences.
He cited the use of armed force, explicit threats to life, public intimidation and the deliberate creation of fear beyond the immediate victim as his case.
Mr Obaseki further revealed that he would engage the services of renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, as lead counsel, with consultations already underway.
He said both civil and criminal proceedings would be pursued concurrently, in line with Nigerian and international law, as he has formally notified international human rights bodies and partners and is engaging them.
The filmmaker also stated that his action was not only to restore his personal dignity and protect his 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.
Petition
Earlier, the filmmaker had petitioned the SSS Director-General.
In the petition dated 29 December 2025, Mr Obaseki identified the alleged leaders of the group as Kapuepue Adun, Osayande Obakhavbaye, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo, and Osamiefan, also known as “Sales Guy,” alongside other individuals yet to be identified.
He further described the incident as a violation of his fundamental rights, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act, and Nigeria’s obligations under regional and international human rights instruments prohibiting torture, degrading treatment, and arbitrary detention.
He urged the SSS to investigate the matter, identify all those involved, and take appropriate action in line with the law.
