₦airaland Forum

Thugs Allegedly Acting For Benin Traditional Council Assault, Strip, Haul Actor Don Pedro Obaseki To Palace Over ‘Disrespect’ Claims

Thugs claiming to be acting on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council have seized, stripped, and assaulted a Nigerian actor, Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, accusing him of being an “Oghionoba”, a term translated as an enemy of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.

Pedro Obaseki was dragged to the Benin Kingdom Palace by a group of Benin youths over claims of recent activities and remarks they described as disrespectful to the Oba.

Sources said the incident followed Pedro Obaseki’s recent attendance at a meet-and-greet event in London organised in honour of his cousin, former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who they also labelled “Oghionoba.”

In a viral video seen by SaharaReporters, the actor was stripped to his boxers, forced to kneel, and made to walk on his knees within the palace premises.

He was subsequently taken before individuals dressed in white attire and adorned with beads, believed to be palace chiefs or officials, who escorted him into the palace while the mob remained outside.

The rift between former Governor Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, is a complex dispute involving cultural heritage, administrative power, and a deep-seated historical family rivalry.

The conflict gained significant public attention around 2021 and escalated until the end of Obaseki's tenure in 2024.

The most public flashpoint was the repatriation of thousands of artifacts (the Benin Bronzes) looted by British forces in 1897.

The Oba maintained that the artifacts were stolen from the Palace and should return to the Palace. He advocated for a Benin Royal Museum to be built within the Palace grounds.

However, the then-governor proposed the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), managed by a private entity called the Legacy Restoration Trust. He envisioned this as part of a broader cultural district to boost tourism.

In 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria stepped in and officially recognized the Oba of Benin as the legal owner and custodian of all repatriated artifacts, effectively siding with the Palace and dealing a blow to Obaseki’s plan.

Also, a major administrative clash occurred when several Enigie (traditional dukes) in Edo South requested the state government to create new, independent traditional councils.

The Palace saw this as a "divide and rule" tactic by Obaseki to "balkanize" the Benin Kingdom and weaken the Oba's central authority.

bjdon:
They have dealt with any past governor or commissioner like this. Bad roads, poor schools, dirty hospitals...none of those things anger them, but this type of thing gets them all riled up. Low IQ people with the wrong priorities

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

YoungLionken:
Good move, this man and his family has been a nuisance to Edo state...

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

Antoeni:
This man is a big fool. He deserves every consequence coming his way. You can’t mock the Oba of Benin and still come into his kingdom and move freely without repercussions

Antoeni:
As a Benin man or someone residing in Benin, you should never say anything against the Oba.
Anyone conversant with Bini recent History will know that the Patriach of the Obaseki family was said to have betrayed the Oba of Benin in his time. Even Governor Obaseki was also seemly antagonist to the Revered stool of the Oba of Benin. Abi na Curse? Youths hand go touch am shaa.
I hope Oba forgives him

Oba ato kpee!!!

yarimo:
Peter obi and oby ezekwesili will never react or condemn this, since it wasn't in Lagos state.

Antoeni:
This man is a big fool. He deserves every consequence coming his way. You can’t mock the Oba of Benin and still come into his kingdom and move freely without repercussions