Sunday Igboho freed, barred from leaving Benin Republic

The Yoruba self-acclaimed activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has been released from prison in Benin Republic.  The Activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo […]

The Yoruba self-acclaimed activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has been released from prison in Benin Republic.

 The Activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

 His Counsel, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), who confirmed this to journalists in Ibadan on Monday, said Igboho was released to seek medical attention.

Igboho had been under the searchlight of security operatives in Nigeria, for calling for Yoruba Nation and being accused of a separatist tendency.

When he was arrested in Benin Republic, his lawyers indicated that they had filed for asylum for him before his arrest.

But confirming his release on Monday, Alliyu said Igboho’s release was under the agreement that he should not leave the medical centre or Cotonou for any reason.

“I am to inform you that Chief Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Igboho, has been released from prison to his medical practitioners under the agreement that he should not leave the medical centre or Cotonou for any reason.

“Praises should be given to two prominent Yoruba personalities to wit: Prof. Wole Soyinka and Prof. Akintoye for this turn around in our client’s matter,” he said.

Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he and his wife, Ropo, were arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin on their way to Germany.

The incarceration of Igboho in the Republic of Benin had been extended by six months after spending the initial six months in prison.

Also, the Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye in a terse statement yesterday quoted Akintoye as describing the release of Ighoho as “A triumph of truth over darkness in Yoruba Land.”

Daily Trust however learnt that the release of Sunday Igboho was facilitated by a joint effort of the Yoruba leaders in Nigeria and Benin Republic which have been working tirelessly to secure his release.

 “But I cannot give you further details. We are being careful on this to avoid any form of sabotage but in the days to come you would have further information.

 The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, also confirmed the release of Igboho yesterday, saying it would reduce the tension in the land.

 Spokesman of the group, Comrade Jare Ajayi, in a chat with Daily Trust said, “I can tell you authoritatively that he has been released. We in Afenifere and the Yoruba people are happy. Those who cherish personal liberty and self-determination are happy about it.”

 In a statement he issued later, Ajayi noted that Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s release

“It’s not just for him and the Yoruba people.”

 “It is a victory indicator for all those who believe in personal liberty and the right of a given people to self-determination,” he added.

 Ajayi commended Professors Akintoye and Adeniran, the Ilana Omo Oodua, Yoruba Obas in Nigeria and in Benin Republic for their efforts in seeing that Igboho was set free.

He also commended the team of lawyers handling his cases here in Nigeria and in Benin.