Family condemns Obaseki’s cousin’s assault, backs legal action

The Obaseki family of Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday declared support for the decision of their son, Dr Pedro Obaseki, to seek legal redress over the “humiliation” he suffered on Sunday.

A mob had stripped the former Managing Director of DAAR Communications on Sunday morning at the Uwa Primary School football field in Benin over alleged disrespect to the Oba of Benin.

In a video that made the rounds on social media, he was stripped naked, intimidated and forcefully taken to the palace, where the chiefs took him in before further actions were taken.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Okaegbe of the Obaseki family Worldwide, Pa. Daniel Obaseki, condemned the manner in which Pedro was beaten.

He said, “No father, mother, brother, sister, or person of good conscience can witness such sordid humiliation of a son of Benin—a respected professional, cultural ambassador, and member of a front-line, noble family—without being profoundly shaken.”

He, on behalf of the family, condemned the incident as “barbaric, shameful and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.”

Daniel said the family deliberately delayed their reaction to properly digest the bizarre incident and await the response of constituted authorities.

“Dr Pedro Obaseki has conducted himself honourably at all times, and that there was absolutely no justification for the violence allegedly visited upon him,” he said.

He called for a thorough, lawful and impartial investigation into the incident, urging that anyone found culpable be held accountable.

He added, “The Obaseki Council has been deeply disturbed by the deplorable incident of mob violence and public humiliation meted out in broad daylight to our son, Dr Pedro Obaseki, on Sunday, 28th December 2025, by suspected individuals who are neither palace functionaries nor agents of the state.

“The Obaseki Council wishes to state categorically that it is not political or partisan. Our family has always been robust enough to accommodate diverse political views and personal convictions, provided they are exercised with civility, respect for others, and strict adherence to the law. We shall support our son to seek redress in the court.

“Dr Obaseki has conducted himself honourably, and we find no justification whatsoever for the violence visited upon him.”

While reaffirming its respect for the palace of the Oba of Benin as a unifying institution and moral compass for all Benin people, the family warned that nothing should be done by non-palace functionaries to undermine the dignity and exalted position of the revered traditional institution.

He said, “Obaseki Council is deeply mindful of the exalted position of the Palace of the Oba of Benin as a unifying force and role model for all Benin People. Nothing should be done by non-Palace functionaries to diminish these.

“In the interest of public order, justice, and societal balance, the Obaseki Council supports the use of lawful and impartial processes to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident and to hold accountable any persons found to have committed criminal acts.

“Accountability pursued calmly and lawfully is essential to prevent a dangerous descent into anarchy and to reassure law-abiding citizens that no one is above the law.”

They called on all members of the family to exercise restraint:

“We urge calm, restraint, and reflection. This moment calls for wisdom, not incitement; for justice, not vengeance; but strong resolve to restore sanity and the reaffirmation of the finest values of the Benin people,” Daniel said.(Punch)