The Department of State Services (DSS), has taken over the investigation into the attack and abduction of Dr. Pedro Obaseki in Benin City on December 28, last year.
The latest action follows petitions by the filmmaker’s legal team, his lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, said in a statement.
“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.
According to the statement, the petitions allege terrorism-related conduct, conspiracy, assault, unlawful detention and obstruction of justice arising from the events of December 28.
He said Dr. Obaseki welcomes this development and has continued to cooperate fully with lawful investigative processes.
He disclosed that Dr. Obaseki has had engagements with the DSS in Benin City under the authority of the State Director, adding that “any concerns arising from those interactions, including issues of conduct, handling and procedural integrity, have been formally documented and are now part of the consolidated representations before the appropriate authorities.”
The legal team has also instituted civil proceedings before Nigerian courts, which Falana said are “intended to complement, not prejudice, ongoing investigations by security agencies,” while seeking judicial remedies and institutional accountability.
Besides, petitions have been submitted to international and regional bodies, including the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the European Union human-rights mechanisms and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and arbitrary detention.
Falana said the steps were taken to ensure transparency, preservation of evidence and adherence to Nigeria’s international obligations.
The statement further noted that social media and digital platforms have been placed on notice over the circulation of footage linked to Dr. Obaseki’s alleged dehumanization and abduction, in order to ensure “responsible platform conduct and cooperation with lawful accountability processes.
Dr. Obaseki emphasized that the actions taken were solely in furtherance of justice, the rule of law and public accountability, and not for sensationalism or political motive.
He implored authorities and the public to support efforts to ensure that all criminal perpetrators, collaborators and enablers are identified and held to account.
