No Hope For Igboho’s Release As Yoruba Agitator Spends 150 Days In Benin Detention
LAGOS DECEMBER 19TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has been in the eye of the storm since he was ‘arrested’ by the operatives of Brigade criminelle (Criminal Brigade) on July 19 in Cotonou.
Despite frantic efforts to get him released, checks by The Nation show he has spent over 150 days in Benin Republic prison.
Today, December 19, if not released, he would be spending 153rd day in detention.
His supporters have expressed worries
over prolonged stay in detention. Some alleged that the Benin’s President
Patrice Talon is working with the federal government to extradite Igboho back
to Nigeria, others called for prayers and spiritual support
Earlier this week, Igboho was among the ‘Top trending people’ category of 2021
Year in Search lists on Google.
Many groups including Agbekoya Farmers
Society, the diaspora groups have staged protests to demand the ‘unconditional’
release of Igboho.
Eminent lawyers including Chief Yomi Aliu (SAN), Pelumi Olajengbesi, Benin
Republic based team of lawyers including Ibrahim Salami, Olusegun Falola have
been providing legal services for the embattled agitator to secure his release.
The Nation learnt that Igboho is
unlikely to be released on bail considering the political interests involved in
his case.
Earlier, one of his lawyers had said, Igboho might be held in detention for
weeks pending the conclusion of investigation.
According to reports, before Igboho’s arrest, his Ibadan home was raided by
operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), killing two of his aides and
arresting 12 others during the operation.
The 49-year-old agitator, who narrowly escaped during the bloody raid, was
subsequently declared wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise
Nigeria under the pretext of Yoruba Nation.
Igboho, after going underground for 19
days, was finally arrested in neighbouring Cotonou, Benin Republic, while
trying to travel to Germany.
He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour D’appel De Cotonou ordered
the release of the wife based in Germany saying there were no allegations
against her.
Since he was arrested, the legal battle
to either extradite Igboho to Nigeria or hand him back his freedom has
witnessed a series of dramatic twists and turns.
The court on July 27, ordered that he should be remanded in a facility in the
country, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
According to The Nation, a trial judge who is currently investigating Igboho’s
case, will table his ruling before another judge who will give judgement.
Sunday Igboho’s lawyers had said the Yoruba Nation agitator was remanded to
allow police to conduct a thorough investigation into the charges, which
included illegal migration, attempt to cause civil unrest, others.
Meanwhile, an Oyo State high court had awarded N20 billion as “exemplary and
aggravated damages” against the Federal Government after Igboho sued the
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Department of State Services
(DSS), and Director of State Services, Oyo State, demanding N500 billion in
damages over the raid on his Ibadan home on July 1.
The Federal Government, through Minister
of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, also
said that it was not opposed to a political solution to the Igboho case and
that of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the activist’s lawyers had said in an interview that
the chances of getting Igboho out of prison in 2021, was very slim.
He, however, does not rule out the possibility of Igboho’s release as he added
that efforts were being made to secure his release.
“Frankly, the hope of getting him released this year is still very slim. There
are diplomatic consultations going on in respect of that because as you know,
Igboho in the eyes of the law is a very free person, he has committed no crime.
“We know he’s being held against his will. He’s a prisoner of conscience and so we believe that he will be out soon but I can’t guarantee he will be out before the end of this year. There are lots of diplomatic discussions going on in that regard.”
The Nation
Short URL: https://newsrangers.com/?p=80475
Posted by News Rangers
on Dec 19 2021. Filed under Features, National.
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