Why Sunday Igboho Can’t Leave Benin Republic Despite Release – Lawyer

Sunday Igboho

Yomi Aliyyu, lead counsel to the Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho on Tuesday revealed why Igboho will not leave Cotonou, Benin Republic, despite his release from detention in the country.

According to him, the Yoruba Nation activist was released based on medical reasons and basically to his medical doctors with the agreement that he would not leave Cotonou for any reason.

He was freed on medical grounds after months of diplomatic meetings with the government of President Patrice Talon by Yoruba monarchs and others at home and in the Diaspora.

Speaking to the Punch, he said, “I am to inform you that Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho Oosa, 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 Wale Adeniran and Prof (Banji) Akintoye, for this turnaround in our client’s matter.”

There is a strong indication that the 49-year-old activist might not return to Nigeria till May 2023 after the expiration of the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Meanwhile, the Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has described the release of Igboho from detention as personal liberty and victory for those who believe in personal liberty and the right of the people to self-determination.

The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi who stated this while reacting to Igboho’s release said, “Afenifere and indeed Yoruba people as a whole are very happy that the Yoruba Nation agitator has been released.

“Sunday Igboho’s release is 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.

“Afenifere commends Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Wale Adeniran, Ilana Omo Oodua, and Yoruba Obas in Nigeria and in Benin Republic for their efforts in seeing that Igboho is set free.”

The group also commended the team of lawyers handling his cases in Nigeria and in Benin.

Daily Independent had on Monday reported that Igboho was released by the Benin Republic government and handed over to the emeritus professor and his deputy, Wale Adeniran.

Akintoye, who had earlier said he relocated to Benin Republic to secure Igboho’s freedom, described the release of the activist as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland.

The statement by Akintoye’s camp was titled, ‘Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho, released to Yoruba leader, Banji Akintoye and French Language expert, Adeniran, by the Benin Republic Government’.

It read in part, “The Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.

“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, Prof Banji Akintoye, and a French Language expert/Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Wale Adeniran.

“In a statement by the Communications Secretary of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr Maxwell Adeleye Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland.”

Adeleye, however, said Igboho would remain in Cotonou till further notice.

When asked if Igboho would continue his trip to Germany, Adeleye stated, “He (Igboho) is remaining in Cotonou. He was freed on medical grounds as no case was preferred against him. Asides, he had been detained for more than six months, which is contrary to the law.”