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Just In: Obaseki, Family Dragged To Court Over Abduction, Assault Claims.

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A well-known Edo indigene, Dr. Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki, has announced his intention to pursue legal action over what he described as his abduction, violent assault and unlawful detention in Benin City on December 28, 2025.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a press statement released on Sunday, Obaseki said the decision followed wide-ranging consultations with his wife and children, members of the Obaseki family and clan, senior legal advisers, and respected elders.

He explained that the move was neither motivated by revenge nor influenced by political considerations, but driven by the need for accountability, deterrence and the defence of human dignity.

According to the statement, Obaseki alleged that he was forcibly taken by armed men in a bold daytime operation, which he said was deliberately carried out to instil fear beyond the immediate victim.

He claimed he was beaten, stripped naked, threatened with death and paraded along major roads in Benin City, while the incident was reportedly recorded and live-streamed by the assailants.

Obaseki further stated that he was held for several hours without any disclosed allegation or lawful charge, despite sustaining injuries during the ordeal.

Describing the incident as a serious breach of his fundamental rights, he said the actions amounted to terrorism-related violence under Nigerian law, citing the use of armed force, threats to life, public humiliation and intimidation.

He also disclosed that his abductors claimed they were acting on the directive of the Oba of Benin or the Oba’s Palace.

However, Obaseki confirmed that the Benin Traditional Council had formally and publicly denied the claim, issuing a letter categorically rejecting any involvement, authorisation or prior knowledge of the incident.

He said he welcomed the clarification and accepted it as the official position of the Palace, noting that it now forms part of the public record.

The Edo indigene stressed that the legal action would be directed strictly at the individual perpetrators and any persons who may, through due process, be found to have aided, facilitated or enabled the acts.

These, he said, include individuals who may have acted through impersonation of authority, abuse of office or omission.

To pursue the case, Obaseki disclosed that he had retained renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, as lead counsel.

He added that civil and criminal proceedings would be pursued simultaneously, in line with Nigerian and international law, while fully respecting the presumption of innocence.

Given the seriousness of the allegations and their implications for public safety and the rule of law, Obaseki said he had also notified international human rights organisations and partners.

According to him, the step is aimed at ensuring independent oversight, transparency and proper monitoring of investigations and court proceedings, in line with Nigeria’s constitutional responsibilities and international obligations.

Obaseki said the action was taken not only to restore his personal dignity and protect his family, but also to send a clear message that no individual or group has the right to abduct, brutalise or publicly dehumanise any citizen outside the law.

He added that he would refrain from making further factual or evidentiary comments in view of ongoing investigations and impending court proceedings.

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Isaac Fayose Sends Fresh Message To Sowore After Ekiti Attack, Urges Him To Join Peter Obi

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Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has called on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to join forces with Peter Obi and other opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fayose argued that Sowore could not effectively challenge the government on his own, urging opposition figures to set aside their political differences and work together.

He made the appeal while reacting to the attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Fayose condemned the incident and warned that it highlighted the risks opposition figures could face in the country.

The social media critic said other opposition leaders could experience similar attacks if they failed to unite against the government.

“Sowore, you can’t fight alone. You need to unite with Peter Obi and other opposition figures. What happened to you in Ekiti can happen to anyone. This government does not want opposition,” Fayose said.

The businessman also urged security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack, insisting that they must face justice.

Recall that Sowore had accused the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) of removing CCTV footage showing the attack on him in Ado-Ekiti.

The AAC presidential candidate alleged that the removal of the footage was an attempt to conceal evidence of the incident and shield those responsible.

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‘Voice Of Jacob, Hand Of Esau’ – Reuben Abati Raises Alarm Over Speculations In Uzodinma’s Court Case

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Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the court judgment that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District election reflected what some have described as the “voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Abati examined the controversy surrounding the ruling and warned against making unsubstantiated claims about possible external influence on the judiciary.

The former presidential aide stressed that the legal battle was not yet over, pointing to the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Abati explained that the Imo APC had raised constitutional concerns relating to Section 285, particularly the provision stipulating that pre-election cases must be instituted within 14 days.

According to him, the party argued that Senator Rochas Okorocha, who challenged Uzodimma’s candidacy, failed to file the case within the constitutionally prescribed period.

He noted that the Court of Appeal would have the opportunity to review issues surrounding the procedure, timing, technicalities and evidence presented before the lower court.

Abati maintained that the legal questions raised by the Imo APC should be resolved through the appellate process rather than through speculation about the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

He said, “So the matter is not ended yet. They will go to the Appeal Court, and then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been originating summons or another thing.

“That’s the purpose of an Appeal Court.

“Finally on that subject is the fact this is the voice of Jacob and the hand Esau, without putting on the table the implications of that caveat, because I’ve seen some people saying there are questions to be raised about some people having powers over the judiciary. But we cannot speculate in that regard.”

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Pat Utomi Drops Details Of Peter Obi’s Strategy To Bring Down Food Prices.

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A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Pat Utomi, has said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, plans to strengthen the naira to ₦500 against the US dollar if elected president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of Friday, the naira traded at ₦1,346.86 per dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the dollar exchanged for approximately ₦1,385 in the parallel market.

In a post on X, Utomi explained that strengthening the naira from about ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would help tackle inflation, reduce poverty and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

He described the proposed exchange rate as a key component of Obi’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Utomi projected that the price of a loaf of sliced bread could fall from ₦1,750 to ₦800, while a 50kg bag of imported rice could drop from ₦55,000 to ₦27,500.

He further estimated that a medium-sized tuber of yam could decline from ₦2,400 to ₦1,200, while a 50kg bag of maize could reduce from ₦75,000 to ₦37,500.

According to him, the price of a bunch of plantain could also fall from ₦2,500 to ₦1,250, while a whole chicken could become cheaper, dropping from ₦7,000 to ₦3,500.

The NDC chieftain also listed petrol and cement among the commodities expected to become more affordable under the proposed economic programme.

Utomi said the party was convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by strengthening the naira from ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would be a winning strategy.

“We are convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by reasonably strengthening it from ₦1,350/$ to ₦500/$ as part of our manifesto is a winning strategy.

“It offers a direct, multi-faceted approach to curbing inflation, reducing poverty, and lowering the cost of living,” he said.

He added that the proposal reflects the party’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those affected by multidimensional poverty.

“It clearly demonstrates our concrete plan to uplift the 140 million Nigerians currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

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