Despite Release, Igboho Can’t Leave Benin Republic – Lawyer

The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has described the release of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, from detention in Benin Republic as a personal liberty and victory for those who believe in personal liberty and right of the people to self-determination.

Eaglessightnews learnt from Punch news that the  National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said this when contacted for his reaction to the development on Monday. According to him,

 “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.

However, Igboho will not leave Cotonou, Benin Republic, despite his release from detention in the country.

His counsel, Yomi Aliyyu (SAN), said this in a message sent to one of our correspondents on Monday.

Aliyyu said Igboho was released to his medical doctors with the agreement that he would not leave Cotonou for any reason.

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.”

The PUNCH also learnt that the 49-year-old activist might not return to Nigeria till May 2023 after the expiration of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

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.

In a statement on Monday by Akintoye’s spokesman, Maxwell Adeleye, said Igboho was released by the Benin Republic government on Monday 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

Credit: Punch