₦airaland Forum

Don Pedro Obaseki to engage Falana, sue over abduction, assault

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.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/850430-oba-of-benin-palace-incident-don-pedro-obaseki-to-engage-falana-sue-over-abduction-assault.html

If na Aboki behave like this we no go hear word
Dem go call dem primitive
See Watin Benin people Dey do say dem insult their oba
The most funny aspect be say palace say dem no send them

Lol




Your professional writer

Oba Kpesere Esee Esee Esee

Chai this was painful. But this man should let it go.. the shame has already been borne

Meanwhile the Edo foolish gov is busy assslicking Tinubu while promising him imaginary 50m votes in Edo

na small this guy take excape jungle justice o..

Those youths are overzealous, they are on their own.

Oba can never order such moves against Don Pedro, never...those youths are political thugs, this is political beef, they only want to use the palace as cover.

Hmmmm. Issues like this should not be taken lightly

Racheal45:
If na Aboki behave like this we no go hear word
Dem go call dem primitive
See Watin Benin people Dey do say dem insult their oba
The most funny aspect be say palace say dem no send them

Why the Oba no go distance himself?? The other ones the youths dey do him send them?? No!! But he will still accept it with the fact that his people care about him and their compromised tradition.
But he's now distancing himself because this particular one got exposed, at first this act must have been going on low-key for a long time because the perpetuators were too confident enough carrying out the act.
It's politics, it's a win or loose decision to be made.

Make them carry the cross in the name of over do

Getting justice is really going to be difficult in a society like nigeria where the oba is worshipped like a god.

post=138198206:
Chai this was painful. But this man should let it go.. the shame has already been borne

All these fuulish people for nairaland self.

This is Nigeria! The court won't be of help to him. Unless, he involves wike or tinubu

Waste of time. Some hoodlums held you and about to take mob action on you. The Oba intervened and set you free.
No gree make them catch you again they might not agree to take you to the Oba palace.

post=138198206:
Chai this was painful. But this man should let it go.. the shame has already been borne

Let what go? This mentality is the reason we ended up building a society where wrongdoing has no consequences.

People do nonsensical things and get away with it. They wrong you and expect that sorry should make everything okay.

Mrexcell:
Getting justice is really going to be difficult in a society like nigeria where the oba is worshipped like a god.

Exactly, even if the Oba didn't order such, I'm sure he would be happy with it had it been it didn't leak. Imagine the amount of acts these boys do all to prove the importance of being an Oba.
But because this one got out, the Oba is distancing himself. Who's fooling who?
Nigerian youths are easily manipulated and left behind when things go wrong.

One saying goes thus, 'The is not shouting for the kite to drop her baby chick, but for the people to be aware '. He may not actually get justice, but as a man, let the record be kept that there was an attempt and that he didn't cow out.

Pakute:
Don Pedro Obaseki to engage Falana, sue over abduction, assault



https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/850430-oba-of-benin-palace-incident-don-pedro-obaseki-to-engage-falana-sue-over-abduction-assault.html

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.
Hmmmm.
This is an epic strategy.
If you fa gburu, gburu will fa igbo.

I actually saw this happening with the faces of the perpetrators all over the video evidence while their alleged sponsors openly dissociated themselves from the criminal action.

post=138198206:
Chai this was painful. But this man should let it go.. the shame has already been borne

Your position is one of the reasons why bad behavior gets worse in Nigeria

Did you read his reasons for his action?

Falana wey never win one case.
This guy is a joke

Goo0dHardDick:
Meanwhile the Edo foolish gov is busy assslicking Tinubu while promising him imaginary 50m votes in Edo

This has nothing to do with the governor. Let the man go to court. Do you expect the governor to take cane and start flogging the people involved? The man himself should go to court

Benin are primitive also by this action

Racheal45:
If na Aboki behave like this we no go hear word
Dem go call dem primitive
See Watin Benin people Dey do say dem insult their oba
The most funny aspect be say palace say dem no send them

Don Pedro Obaseki deserve justice.
All those miscreants behind that jungle justice must face the wrath of the law.

Racheal45:
If na Aboki behave like this we no go hear word
Dem go call dem primitive
See Watin Benin people Dey do say dem insult their oba
The most funny aspect be say palace say dem no send them

...... Benin is primitive nah, didn't they consider Uku Akpolokpolo, a mere mortal as Almighty till date?

King that his under the authority of local government chairman, ........but Benin people seeing him as gods

so he want carry oba of benin go court ??

I will sincerely advice that this issue be dropped out of Court. The complainant knows with every fibre of his human mind that a real Benin son does not disrespect the throne of the Oba, neither will the Benin people allow anyone to do same as it is regarded as a taboo. The Oba whom the ex gov and his allies have continued to disrespect, didn't drag anyone to court. If he was to do that, I can ascertain that some people would be drowned thereafter. I guess a word is enough for the wise. No need for plenty rhetorics.

Dey play... a lot of kings surround themselves with touts just to oppress and victimise people who doesn't support them

dederocs:
Those youths are overzealous, they are on their own.

Oba can never order such moves against Don Pedro, never...those youths are political thugs, this is political beef, they only want to use the palace as cover.

The way aswani has been dodging his Edo State News lately is very worrisome

BUT

Change the topic of this thread to south east or Igbos and see the speed with which he will change his color and reveal his fangs 🤗

cashmyles:
Dey play... a lot of kings surround themselves with touts just as to oppress and victimise people.

Shut up little kid, you don't know this situation, stop assuming.

manuelkel:
Exactly, even if the Oba didn't order such, I'm sure he would be happy with it had it been it didn't leak. Imagine the amount of acts these boys do all to prove the importance of being an Oba.
But because this one got out, the Oba is distancing himself. Who's fooling who?
Nigerian youths are easily manipulated and left behind when things go wrong.

Bros, abeg no vex ooooo. I wan ask one question. What have the Oba and the boys done about the insecurity that is currently a menace in his kingdom?