“I was dragged, beaten severely,” Don Pedro Obaseki narrates ordeal

By Ayox Ojo

Renowned filmmaker Don Pedro Obaseki how he has he was attacked, stripped and dragged for over five kilometers to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II by some youths who accosted him at Uwa Primary School, where he went to play football

The filmmaker was seen in a viral video being dragged to the palace by youths who accused him of disrespecting the Oba of Benin

However, Obaseki in an interview with AIT said his ordeal began around 11:00AM to 11:30AM on Sunday while playing football with his football mates at Uwa Primary School in Benin.

He said the youths, who he described as ‘assailants’ some of who were armed with guns, kidnapped and hauled him through the streets of Benin with claim that they were sent to abduct him by the palace of the Oba of Benin.

“I begged them to show me some form of ID (identity card), of course not, but I was dragged, beaten severely, manhandled, and dragged through Igbisa, and straight up to Akpapava, which is the main thoroughfare in Benin, and up to Ring Road, where I was stripped naked, and taken into the palace of the Oba of Benin, and where I was meant to kneel, in full public. I have never been so humiliated.”

He added that he was later taken to police station from the palace.

He added, “I was later released, I was actually also taken to a police station, where the commissioner of police proved his mettle, came within two hours, he came to see me three times, before he ordered my release.

“You know, from the police station at Oba Market Road. And from the countenance of the chiefs I met at the palace, it was clear that they did not send these people on these messages, so this elemental brigadage has to stop.”

The filmmaker said his abductors told him that his offence was alleged disrespect of the Oba of Benin ‘meet-and-greet’ session organised by a former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

He noted that he was humiliated despite his status as promoter of Benin culture, using the film platform.

“I am traumatised, I am distraught, and I hear that my sin was that I went to London, and in a public statement, I said, ‘Edo Ato Kpee’, which means, ‘may Edo people live long’ and prosper. That I should have said, ‘Oba Ato Kpeee’, ‘may the Oba live long and prosper.’

“That my saying, may Edo people live long and prosper, is a cardinal saying in Benin. For me, who has helped elevate the culture of the Benin race over the past 35 to 40 years, as the pioneer of the present Nollywood. Edo Ato Kpee, Oba Ato Kpee, because it is cybernetic, there is no king without subjects”, said Mr Obaseki.

Meanwhile Rockson A. Igelige, an entertainment lawyer has described the assault and public humiliation meted out to Don Pedro Obaseki as criminal and shameful.

“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,” he said.

“This act is condemnable, shameful, and in every sense, very un-Benin,” Igelige added.

The lawyer therefore urged the Edo State Government, the State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police, and relevant security agencies to launch a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter.

According to him, all individuals involved in molestation of Don Pedro Obaseki, regardless of status or affiliation, must be held accountable.

“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,” Igelige concluded.