Amnesty International (AI) has asked Oba of Benin, Ewuare II to distance himself from the humiliation meted out to renowned filmmaker, Don Pedro Obaseki by some youth in Benin, the Edo state capital on Sunday.
Don Pedro Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications was forcefully taken at Uwa Primary School where he was playing football by some youths who subsequently dragged him to the palace of Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.
A viral video of the incident showed how the gang of youths brutalised Don Pedro Obaseki who was stripped of his clothes as he was dragged to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
The video also shows some chiefs receiving the group and taking the filmmaker away at the palace.
The youths claimed that their action followed disrespect of Oba of Benin by Don Pedro Obaseki in a recent event outside the country.
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 International said while condemning assault of Obaseki.
Amnesty International further described the abduction of the filmmaker as barbaric and unlawful. The rights group also called on the police to investigate the maltreatment of Don Pedro Obaseki by the youths. It added that all those involved in the humiliation of the lawmakers must be brought to justice.
“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 International said.
