Oba Ewuare 11: I did not authorise attack on Don Pedro Obaseki’s
The palace of the Oba of Benin on Wednesday broke its silence on the controversy and outrage trailing the dehumanisation of renowned filmmaker and former Managing Director of Daar Communications Ltd, Dr. Don Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki who was on Sunday abducted at the Uwa Primary School field in Benin City, stripped and marched through the streets to the Oba’s palace, a distance of about five kilometres, for allegedly disrespecting Oba Ewuare 11.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that a statement by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) dissociated the Oba from the incident which it described as “unfortunate”.
The terse statement, dated December 31, 2025, and signed by the secretary to the BTC Frank Irabor reads:
“The Benin Traditional Council wishes to use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin. And it cannot be authorized 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 wish to advice 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 handle all matters.
“Social media users should equally endeavour to cross-check information appropriately before posting.
“His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, wish you all a happy new year. “Oba ghato kpere”.
The renowned film maker has however resolved to seek legal redress against the perpetrators of the assault and their sponsors.