Amnesty International has berated the attack on Don Pedro Obaseki, a former managing director of Daar Communications and chief executive officer (CEO) of Hosamudia Farm, in Benin City, Edo State.
Pedro, a cousin of Godwin Obaseki, former governor of Edo, as captured in a viral video was attacked and stripped on Sunday by thugs at Uwa Primary School, where he went to play football.
After being stripped naked, he was dragged through the streets over alleged comments at a public gathering.
Reacting on Monday via a post on its official X account, Amnesty International described the attack as barbaric and unlawful, while calling for an investigation by the police.
“The palace of the Oba of Benin where he was dragged to in utter disregard for human dignity and the rule of law must distance itself from such bizarre impunity,” Amnesty said.
“What happened to Mr. Obaseki is unlawful and shows complete disdain for due process.
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“The Nigerian police must investigate the incident and ensure that all those suspected of involvement in this crime are brought to justice.
“What happened in Benin city on Sunday is unacceptable in a free society.
“It is also prohibited under international human rights law and standards aimed at safeguarding human dignity and protecting people from violence.”
In the same vein, Former Governor Obaseki condemned the attack, describing it as a “grave violation of fundamental human rights and a reckless disregard for the rule of law.”
He said, “I strongly condemn the violent attack on my cousin, Dr. Pedro Obaseki, by armed thugs. Dr 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.”
Obaseki urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“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 any good,” he warned.
He further called on human rights organisations, civil society groups, and well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against the injustice and gross violation of human rights.
In response, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, stated that the situation had been brought under control, noting that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had met with the parties involved.
