By Huldah Shado
Dr. Pedro Obaseki has announced plans to seek legal redress over an alleged harassment incident that occurred on December 28 in Benin, Edo State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Obaseki said he has engaged human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), to pursue the case after consultations with his family, legal advisers and community elders.
He said the move is aimed at ensuring accountability and protecting human dignity, not revenge or political gain.
Obaseki alleged that he was seized in public by armed men while at Uwa Primary School, where he had gone to play football.
He claimed the attackers stripped him and later took him to a palace, forcing him to kneel at the gate while accusing him of being an enemy of the Oba of Benin.
The incident was reportedly captured in a viral video.
He said the situation eased after some palace chiefs intervened, adding that he was eventually allowed into the palace.
Describing the incident as a violation of his fundamental rights, Obaseki said the actions amounted to terrorism-related violence, citing public intimidation and threats to life.
He noted that claims linking the incident to the Oba of Benin or the palace were denied by the Benin Traditional Council.
Obaseki said the legal action will target only the alleged perpetrators and anyone found to have aided or enabled the acts, stressing that both civil and criminal proceedings would be pursued in line with the law.
