Alleged public stripping, assault: Obaseki sues DSS, AGF, others for ₦500m
2026-03-19 - 16:23
Renowned broadcaster, scholar, and media entrepreneur, Dr Osaro Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki (popularly known as Don Pedro), has instituted a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court, Benin, following a harrowing incident of alleged abduction and public humiliation. The lawsuit, marked FHC/B/CS/20/2026, is asking the court for ₦500 million in general and exemplary damages against 11 individuals, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). According to court processes filed by the law firm of human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, the incident occurred on December 28, 2025. Dr Obaseki alleged that he was violently abducted by armed men while engaged in recreational activity in Benin City. The applicant claimed the 1st to 11th respondents, including Osazee “Kabaka” Adun and Osamede “Nomoless” Eriyo, physically assaulted him, stripped him naked in public, and paraded him through major streets while recording the ordeal. The resulting videos were allegedly circulated globally, causing profound psychological trauma and reputational damage. Following the public assault, Obaseki stated that he was taken to a police station and detained for five hours without lawful justification, which he contended is a gross violation of his constitutional rights to liberty and dignity. The suit, signed by Femi Falana, SAN, Funmi Falana, SAN, and Taiwo E. Olawanle, named Osazee Kabaka Adun (alias Kapuepue), Osayande Obakhavbaye, Gege Izua Adun, Osamede Nomoless Eriyo, Julius Imafu, Uyigue Obazehowan, Osamiemwanfan Ojo (alias Sales Guy), Rambo Izua Adun, Uwaifo Orhue Ogiugo, Osaro Iyamu (alias Culture), Chris Osa Media, State Security Service (SSS/DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), as respondents in the fundamental rights action. Obaseki argued that the DSS and AGF failed in their statutory duties by neglecting to arrest or prosecute the alleged perpetrators despite clear video evidence of the assault. The broadcaster is seeking several declarations from the court, including a declaration that his rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, and privacy (Sections 33, 34, 35, and 37 of the 1999 Constitution) were breached, an order compelling the DSS and AGF to investigate and prosecute the 1st to 11th respondents, a requirement for the respondents to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers, and ₦500,000,000 damages for the physical and emotional distress suffered. In a statement through Falana & Falana’s Chambers, and signed by its Secretary, Tayo Soyemi, it emphasised that a separate criminal process has also been initiated. “Our client has chosen the path of law, constitutional process, and institutional accountability. This case aims not only at personal redress but at affirming that no citizen should be subjected to unlawful violence or public degradation under a constitutional democracy,” the statement read. As of press time, a hearing date for the suit has yet to be scheduled by the Federal High Court.