Justice R. A. Ogbevoen of the Edo State High Court has ordered the remand of Osaze Adùn, popularly known as “Kapuepue,” for 14 days over alleged assault, harassment and brutalisation of Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.
The remand order followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). Adùn was to be remanded in a Correctional Centre for 14 days pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Dr. Obaseki, a renowned journalist and media executive, was reportedly accosted on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the Uwa Primary School football field in Benin while playing football.
The prosecution sought the remand of Adùn as the court awaited legal advice from the DPP.
Counsel to the defendant, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), who led a team including Collins Ogiegbaen and five others, argued that the alleged offence is bailable and that the bail request aligns with the fundamental human rights of every individual. He urged the court to exercise its discretionary powers to grant bail to his client.
In a short ruling, Justice Ogbevoen agreed with the defence counsel and admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum who must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge further ruled that the surety must be a civil servant of grade level 12 and above.
The court also ordered the defendant to appear every last Friday of the month pending the advice of the DPP.
It would be recalled that Pedro Obaseki, a former Managing Director of DAAR Communications, was allegedly beaten, intimidated and forcefully taken away in what eyewitnesses described as a commando-style operation, sparking widespread outrage and strong public condemnation.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, reportedly armed with dangerous weapons, brutalised the victim, stripped him naked and marched him to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Counsel to Dr. Obaseki, Femi Falana (SAN), disclosed that the secret police had taken over the case. According to the human rights activist, following escalation by his chambers, 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.”
