Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been released from protective custody in the neighbouring Republic of Benin.
Yoruba Nation Leader, Prof. Banji Akintoye, said in a statement that Igboho’s release came , noting that the activist was already on his way to Germany to be reunited with his family.
Igboho was arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin on his way to Germany.
He had fled Nigeria after a bloody raid on his Soka residence in Ibadan, Oyo State capital by the Department of State Service (DSS), which accused him of stockpiling arms. He has remained in protective custody in the Republic of Benin before his release .
A local newspaper in the neighbouring country, Banouto, quoted the authorities as saying Igboho was nabbed at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou.
He was “disembarked from his plane, arrested by the Beninese police while he was trying to travel to Germany and then transferred to the Cotonou Criminal Brigade.”
It was learnt that under the agreements between the two countries, Igboho’s extradition was expected to be concluded without hindrance.
While the Nigerian government did not speak on the development, reactions poured in from different Yoruba groups.
Igboho’s lawyer, however, called on the government of Benin Republic to prevent his extradition to Nigeria on the grounds of security and threat to his life.
“I call upon you to rise up and curb the impunity of the Nigerian Government by refusing any application for extradition of our client, who already has an application before the International Criminal Court duly acknowledged,” he said in a brief statement.