Legal Nigeria

Benin Republic extends Sunday Igboho’s detention by ‘six months’

 

The detention of Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has been extended by six months, The Nation has learnt.

The Counsel for the detained activist, Chief Yomi Aliyu SAN confirmed the extended incarceration of his client.

But this is contrary to claim by Abuja-based human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi on Saturday that the 49-year-old agitator would soon regain freedom.

Olajengbesi, in a Facebook post, stated that Igboho’s freedom would attract wild jubilation across Yorubaland.

Igboho has been in detention in Benin Republic since he was arrested at an airport in Cotonou by the neighbouring country’s security forces while trying to flee to Germany in July 2020.

He fled Nigeria for Benin Republic after the Federal Government declared him wanted.

Despite frantic efforts to get him released, checks by The Nationshow he has spent over 202 days in Benin Republic prison.

Aliyu noted that there was no criminal charge or extradition request from Nigeria against Igboho.

He said: “Contrary to what was speculated in the news by a lawyer, the government of the Republic of Benin has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa for another six months even though there is no criminal charge in their file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria.”

Aliyu further disclosed that he would approach the court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) to challenge the extended incarceration of his client.