…SAYS AMAZED THAT OBA OF BENIN STOOPS SO LOW
The former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned in the strongest terms the violent attack and abduction unleashed on his cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki at gun point by armed thugs allegedly acting under the instructions of the palace of the Oba of Benin.
In a statement, Obaseki said, “I strongly condemn the violent attack, maiming and abduction of my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs who are said to be acting under instructions of the palace of the Oba of Benin.”
Dr Pedro Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications and a renowned journalist, was attacked at Uwa Primary School, where he was subjected to physical assault, intimidation, and torture by the armed thugs before being forcefully taken to the palace.
A viral video circulating on social media shows the armed thugs taking the brutalized Dr Pedro who was already stripped of his clothing to the palace, where they were ceremoniously received by some palace chiefs.
It was gathered that the thugs allegedly await further instructions from the Oba of Benin before Dr. Pedro Obaseki was released.
Reacting to the development, Godwin Obaseki described the incident as a grave violation of fundamental human rights and a reckless disregard for the rule of law.
He expressed deep disappointment over the involvement of the palace in such a barbaric, shameful and ignoble adding, “I am surprised that our monarch would stoop so low and allow his hands to be soiled in such an ignoble act. This is not only embarrassing but deeply troubling.
“I call on security agencies to immediately investigate this matter thoroughly and transparently, identify those responsible for this barbaric act and ensure they are held accountable in accordance with the law.
“A situation where thugs and non-state actors appear to freely take the law into their own hands on behalf of high-profile individuals and those in positions of authority can only result in one outcome, a degeneration into a state of anarchy, which will do no one no good.”
He further charged, “I urge human rights organizations, civil society groups, and all well-meaning Nigerians to lend their voices and speak out firmly against this injustice and gross violation of human rights.”
It would be recalled that shortly before he left the office, Godwin Obaseki had some running battle with the Oba of Benin especially on retrieved or returned artifacts.
Unfortunately, how his cousin became the wood the axe will be tested, is another thing to conjecture.
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