Arrested Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Igboho has been released.
According to Irohinoodua, Igboho is currently on his way to Germany where he is expected to meet his family members.
Sources said his release was party due to Western countries involving Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States mounting intense pressure on the Government of Benin Republic not to hand over Chief Sunday Adeyemo, (Igboho) to the Nigerian authorities.
Sources in Cotonou hinted Irohinoodua that the Ambassadors of some Western nations reached out to the authorities of the Benin Republic asking them not to hand over Chief Adeyemo to the Nigerian government.
They hinge their arguments on strong suspicion that Igboho will not get justice if returned to his home country.
“We don’t think returning Igboho to Nigeria will set standards for the Benin Republic in line with global human rights best practices’’ a diplomat in the Benin Republic reveals.
Recall that, a lawyer; Mr. Leesi Ebenezer Olarewaju based in the United States who is one of those representing Chief Adeyemo had said that there are strong indications that the Benin Republic will not transfer Igboho to Nigeria.
Olanrewaju said the authorities of the International Police and the Government of the Republic of Benin are not willing to return Igboho to Nigeria.
He said under international laws, Igboho is not seen to have committed any crime but merely fighting for self-determination which is recognized under international law. He said Benin arrested Igboho based on ‘alarm’ raised by Nigeria.
Read More: How Sunday Igboho Was Arrested In Cotonouhttps://agnesisika.com/how-sunday-igboho-was-arrested-in-cotonou/
He said the British and German governments already have shown interest in the case.
He said “We are on top of the situation right now. We have successfully notified the British government of the dangers of letting Sunday Adeyemo returned to Nigeria where his life is at risk. We believe that before the end of today, BRITAIN would have granted his request for asylum in good faith.”
In 1995, a similar incidence involving Prof Adesegun Banjo and his wife Ngozi played out when they were arrested by Beninoise authorities on charges of insurgency. The government of late Gen Sani Abacha exerted so much pressure on the Benin Republic including an offer of 1million dollars. However, western nations put pressure on the Government of Benin which later released Adebanjo and his wife. The two later escaped to Ghana and later to Zimbabwe.
More details later.
