…activist lawyers kick
The travail of Yoruba Nation’s agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, known better as Sunday Igboho, may be far from over.
This follows the indication that there is a plot to deport him to Nigeria, where he would be arrested by the Nigerian police.
A source privy to the development said Benin Republic is gradually yielding to the wish of the Nigerian government after serious pressure is mounted on the Francophone country.
According to the source, who is a security officer in Benin Republic, the plan is to deport Igboho secretly at a time that would be convenient for Nigerian police to arrest him.
The security officer revealed that “our intelligence gathering showed that it is unhealthy to jail Igboho here (Benin Republic).”
He added, “Yes, he was detained for fresh charges. While he was initially with the Brigade Criminelle facility, he made useful confessions. His lawyers also know that he is guilty of irregular migration.”
Another official said “The least punishment Igboho can be given is to be deported to the country he came from (Nigeria) if found guilty. The Nigerian authorities can take over from there if they wish.”
Meanwhile, the activist’s lawyers have said the move would boomerang on the Benin Republic because there are international laws that negate such a move.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, a Nigerian-based counsel for Igboho, said, “I am aware that the Federal Government through the former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai is making effort to get him deported. We can say that clearly.
“So far the facts available before the court have nothing to do with Nigeria government.
“We have nothing to worry about because the Benin Republic government has shown that it will operate within the precinct of the law. For us, we believe that Igboho is a criminal of conscience who has taken effort to liberate his people.”
On his part, Olasupo Ojo, the Coordinating counsel for Igboho, said such a move “is illegal under international law. To send back somebody who escaped to save his life? You cannot send him to the country where there is ample evidence that his life is at stake, endangered. It will bounce back heavily on the Benin Republic if they do that”.