The Benin Traditional Council has refuted claims that the Oba of Benin authorised the assault and harassment of Dr Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of the immediate past Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Dr Obaseki was allegedly attacked on Sunday while playing football at Uwa Primary School in Benin City, where he was reportedly stripped by a group of suspected thugs and later taken to the Oba’s Palace.
Reacting on Wednesday, the Benin Traditional Council, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Frank Irabor, said the monarch neither ordered nor sanctioned the incident.
The council described the action as inconsistent with the Oba’s character, stressing that the revered monarch is known for peace and fairness.
The statement read, “The Benin Traditional Council wishes to inform the public that the unfortunate incident in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorised by the Oba of Benin.
“It cannot be authorised because it is not in the character of our revered monarch to do so. The Oba of Benin is a peace-loving father to all.
“The Benin Traditional Council also wishes to advise our youth not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation.
“They should always respect the laws of the land in all actions and utterances and allow appropriate security agencies to handle all matters.”
It further advised members of the public to verify information before sharing it on social media.
Meanwhile, the Obaseki family has said Dr Pedro Obaseki will pursue legal action over the incident.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the family condemned the assault, describing it as degrading and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the family, the Okaegbe of the Obaseki Family Worldwide, Pa Daniel Igbinovia Obaseki, said the treatment meted out to Pedro was unacceptable.
He said, “No father, mother, brother, sister, or person of good conscience can witness such sordid humiliation of a son of Benin, a respected professional, cultural ambassador, and member of a front-line, noble family, without being profoundly shaken.”
