February 07, (THEWILL) – Contrary to speculations following the announcement by an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, at the weekend that the embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, will soon be released from detention, the government of the Republic of Benin has renewed his incarceration for another six months.
The renewal came less than two days after Olajengbesi made the announcement though he has since resigned from the team of Nigerian lawyers handling Igboho’s case.
TBEWILL reports that Olajengbesi in a post on Facebook, had written that “Chief Sunday Igboho will be out very soon and there will be massive jubilation across the entire Yoruba land. He is no doubt a courageous man. This is very authoritative just that our Yoruba leaders should stop being selfish and allow good to prevail.”
However, counsel to Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), on Sunday night disclosed that the Benin Republic government has renewed the incarceration without any hearing.
Alliyu noted that though there are no criminal charges or extradition request against Igboho, the Beninese government has, however, taken steps to keep Igboho in detention.
He said: “Contrary to what was speculated in the news by a lawyer, the government of Benin Republic has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo for another six months even though there is no charge in there file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria.”
This development is a blow to the hope generated among his camp of supporters following Olajengbesi’s announcement as they have been expressing worries over his prolonged stay in detention.
Igboho has been in detention in Benin Republic since he was arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, while on his way to Germany.
He had apparently fled Nigeria after a bloody raid on his Soka residence in Ibadan, Oyo state, by the Department of State Service (DSS) which accused him of stockpiling arms.
The following Thursday, July 21, he was arraigned before the Cour D’Appel De Cotonou which adjourned the case till the following Monday when it further adjourned indefinitely on the grounds that it was investigating the case aagainst Igboho.
The court had ordered that he should be remanded in a facility in the country pending the conclusion of the investigation.
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