Benin Republic Makes U-Turn, Files Charges Against Igboho

In a sudden twist on Monday night, the government of the
Republic of Benin said it would file charges against the detained
Yoruba nation agitator, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as
Sunday Igboho.

Igboho and his wife, Ropo Adeyemo were arrested penultimate
Monday in Cotonou, in their attempt to board a flight to
Germany.

The Nigerian government for weeks had been hunting for Igboho,
who was popular for defending his people against killer herders and
bandits ravaging the country.

The Department of State Service (DSS) had in a midnight raid on
Igboho’s residence in Oyo State, arrested some of his allies while
others who were said to have resisted invasion of the security
agency lost their lives.

Since the incident on July 2, Igboho has been on the run until
his arrest in Cotonou last Monday.

Igboho was on two occasions brought before the Court of Appeal
in Cotonou, where issues believed to border around his extradition
to Nigeria to answer to allegations of stock pilling arms,
instigating violence and promoting disunity in Nigeria, amongst
others were being heard.

However, after Monday’s proceedings, which started late in the
evening and held behind closed-doors, the judges ordered his remand
in prison custody, pending the conclusion of investigations on how
he got into Benin Republic.

According to Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin
Republic-based lawyers of Sunday Igboho, the authorities there were
concerned with how Igboho got into their country as well as those
who assisted him.

“I was shocked when Sunday Igboho was sent to Benin Prison
yesterday. When we started this case last week, the Prosecutor told
us it was Nigerian Government he had a case with but yesterday, we
realised that the Nigerian Government didn’t even file any case
against Igboho.

“The case he has, as the Judges told us, is with the Benin
Republic Government”, the lawyer said while on a BBC Yoruba
programme.

The lawyer explained that the government of Benin Republic
claimed Igboho entered their country improperly with the aim of
committing heinous crime against the country.

He added that Igboho was also asked to mention those who
accommodated him and drove him to the Airport.

According to him, Igboho in his response maintained that he
committed no crime but only ran for his life in Nigeria.

“The Judges weren’t convinced, he said Igboho should be
transferred to Prison until all those involved in his activities in
Benin Republic are apprehended,” his lawyer said.

In a sudden twist on Monday night, the government of the
Republic of Benin said it would file charges against the detained
Yoruba nation agitator, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as
Sunday Igboho.

Igboho and his wife, Ropo Adeyemo were arrested penultimate
Monday in Cotonou, in their attempt to board a flight to
Germany.

The Nigerian government for weeks had been hunting for Igboho,
who was popular for defending his people against killer herders and
bandits ravaging the country.

The Department of State Service (DSS) had in a midnight raid on
Igboho’s residence in Oyo State, arrested some of his allies while
others who were said to have resisted invasion of the security
agency lost their lives.

Since the incident on July 2, Igboho has been on the run until
his arrest in Cotonou last Monday.

Igboho was on two occasions brought before the Court of Appeal
in Cotonou, where issues believed to border around his extradition
to Nigeria to answer to allegations of stock pilling arms,
instigating violence and promoting disunity in Nigeria, amongst
others were being heard.

However, after Monday’s proceedings, which started late in the
evening and held behind closed-doors, the judges ordered his remand
in prison custody, pending the conclusion of investigations on how
he got into Benin Republic.

According to Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin
Republic-based lawyers of Sunday Igboho, the authorities there were
concerned with how Igboho got into their country as well as those
who assisted him.

“I was shocked when Sunday Igboho was sent to Benin Prison
yesterday. When we started this case last week, the Prosecutor told
us it was Nigerian Government he had a case with but yesterday, we
realised that the Nigerian Government didn’t even file any case
against Igboho.

“The case he has, as the Judges told us, is with the Benin
Republic Government”, the lawyer said while on a BBC Yoruba
programme.

The lawyer explained that the government of Benin Republic
claimed Igboho entered their country improperly with the aim of
committing heinous crime against the country.

He added that Igboho was also asked to mention those who
accommodated him and drove him to the Airport.

According to him, Igboho in his response maintained that he
committed no crime but only ran for his life in Nigeria.

“The Judges weren’t convinced, he said Igboho should be
transferred to Prison until all those involved in his activities in
Benin Republic are apprehended,” his lawyer said.