An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin on Friday granted bail in the sum of ₦5 million to Osaze Adùn, popularly known as “Kapuepue,” over allegations of assault, harassment and brutalisation of renowned journalist and media executive, Dr Don Pedro Obaseki.
In a short ruling, Justice R. A. Ogbevoen admitted the defendant to bail with one surety in like sum.
The surety, the court held, must be a civil servant on Grade Level 12 and above and resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge further ordered the defendant to appear in court on the last Friday of every month pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions.
The bail followed submissions by defence counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), who led a team including Collins Ogiegbaen and five others.
The learned silk argued that the alleged offence is bailable and urged the court to exercise its discretionary powers in line with the defendant’s fundamental rights.
Earlier, counsel to the applicant, the Department of State Services, had moved an ex parte application seeking an order to remand the defendant at a correctional centre pending receipt of legal advice from the DPP.
The case arose from an incident said to have occurred on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the Uwa Primary School football field in Benin, where Dr. Obaseki was allegedly accosted while playing football.
It would be recalled that the former Managing Director of DAAR Communications was reportedly beaten, intimidated and forcefully taken away in what eyewitnesses described as a commando-style operation—an incident that triggered widespread public outrage and condemnation.
Meanwhile, counsel to Obaseki, Femi Falana, SAN, had earlier disclosed that the secret police had taken over the investigation.
According to him, following escalation by his chambers, the DSS headquarters assumed conduct of the probe “in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the acts complained of.”
Falana described the decision to classify the matter as terrorism-related as “commendable,” noting that it underscored the seriousness with which the authorities were treating the alleged acts.
