Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the assault and public humiliation of Pedro Obaseki, describing the incident as unlawful and a clear violation of human rights.
Gatekeepers News reports that Pedro Obaseki, a former managing director of Daar Communications and chief executive officer of Hosamudia Farm, was attacked on Sunday while playing football at Uwa Primary School in Benin City, Edo State.
He was reportedly seized by suspected thugs, assaulted, stripped, and taken through major streets to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
A video of the incident, which later spread widely online, showed Obaseki being beaten and forced to kneel in public. The attack was allegedly linked to comments he made during a public event in London.
In a statement released on Monday, Amnesty International said the incident reflected a total disregard for due process and human dignity.
The organisation called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately investigate the matter and ensure that everyone involved is held accountable.
The statement reads, “What happened to Mr. Obaseki is unlawful and shows complete disdain for due process. The Nigerian police @PoliceNG 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.”
Amnesty also urged Benin palace to publicly distance itself from the attack and clearly denounce the abduction, noting that traditional institutions must not be linked to acts of violence or lawlessness.
As of the time of reporting, the Edo State Police Command has not issued an official statement on the incident.
