Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has described the physical assault of Pedro Obaseki, a cousin to the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, as a threat to life by a criminal gang.
Naijaonpoint recalls that some youths suspected to be thugs attacked Obaseki while he was playing football at Uwa Primary School field on Igbesamwan Street, Benin City, Edo State.
Speaking on the issue in an interview on Arise Television, Falana said such action is a criminal act, stressing that Obaseki was abducted, stripped naked and beaten to a pulp by a well-armed gang.
He lamented that after Pedro was taken to the police station, the police never asked those who brought him to make a statement, yet he was held at the station, and none of the criminal elements were arrested.
According to Falana, Obaseki’s rights to dignity and personal liberty were violated by the thugs.
He said, “The events of that took place in Benin City are clearly criminal. His right to life was threatened by the criminal gang that descended on him while he was playing football in the heart of Benin City.
“Pedro was abducted, stripped naked and beaten to a pulp by a well-armed gang. As a matter of fact, in order to disperse the crowd that gathered at the football field, these criminals shot into the air.
“We are going to find out whether they have licenses to bear arms. But clearly, it was an attempt on the life of Dr Pedro Obaseki.
“As if those terrorists’ action was not good enough, Pedro was stripped naked and paraded. Again, his rights to dignity and personal liberty were violated.”