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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Contrary to claims made by an Abuja-based lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, over the weekend that Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, will soon be released from detention, the government of Benin Republic has renewed his incarceration for another six months.
The renewal of Igboho’s incarceration came barely 24 hours after Olajengbesi made the announcement.
Although Olajengbesi had resigned from the team of Nigerian lawyers handling Igboho’s case.
During his announcement, the lawyer advised Yoruba leaders not to be selfish, stating emphatically that Igboho is about to taste freedom.
Olajengbesi in a post on his Facebook page had written: “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, the lead counsel to Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), on Sunday, night announced that the Benin Republic government has renewed the incarceration without any hearing.
“Contrary to what was speculated in the news by a lawyer, the government of the Republic de Benin has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa for another 6 months even though there is no criminal charge in their file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria,” Alliyu said.
Igboho has been in detention in Benin Republic since he was arrested at Cotonou airport enroute to Germany in July 2021.
The 49-year-old fled Nigeria for Benin Republic after the Federal Government declared him wanted and he has since spent over 200 days in detention in Benin Republic.
A Beninise court had blocked the extradition move of Igboho to Nigeria while ruling that the activist be remanded in prison pending further hearing.
Many groups, including Agbekoya Farmers Society and the Diaspora Groups have staged protests to demand the “unconditional” release of the embattled activist.