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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
An Edo State High Court in Benin City ordered the remand of one Osaze Adùn, popularly known as “Kapuepue”, for 14 days over the alleged assault, harassment and brutalisation of Dr Don Pedro Obaseki.
The presiding judge, Justice R. A. Ogbevoen, gave the order after hearing an ex parte motion filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Following the order, Adùn is to remain in prison pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Counsel to the defendant, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), who led a team of six lawyers, while arguing a bail application for his client, contended that the offence is a bailable one, adding that the bail request is in line with the fundamental human rights of every individual.
He, therefore, pleaded with the court to use its discretionary power to grant Adùn bail.
Justice Ogbevoen, in her ruling, agreed with the defence counsel and granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million in like sum, with a surety who is resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
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The judge further ruled that the surety must be a civil servant of grade level 12 and above, and also ordered the defendant to appear in court every last Friday of the month pending the advice of the DPP.
Recall that Dr Obaseki, a renowned journalist and media executive, was said to have been accosted on the morning of Sunday, 28 December 2025, at the popular Uwa Primary School football field in Benin while playing football.
He was allegedly beaten, intimidated and forcefully taken away in what eyewitnesses described as a commando-style operation, which sparked widespread outrage and strong public condemnation.
The assailants, alleged to have been armed with dangerous weapons, were said to have brutalised the victim and stripped him naked before marching him to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Counsel to Dr Obaseki, Femi Falana (SAN), recently disclosed that the secret police had taken over the case.
He stated that, after his chambers escalated the incident, the DSS headquarters assumed conduct of the investigation “in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the acts complained of.
“It is important to place on record that the DSS has now formally assumed conduct of the investigation into this matter,” Falana said, describing the decision to classify the case as terrorism-related as “commendable”.
