Beninoise authorities release Sunday Igboho handing him over to Prof Banji Akintoye

YORUBA Nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has been released from custody in neighbouring Republic of Benin and handed over to Professor Banji Akintoye the president of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide.

On July 1 last year, Chief Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, fled after his Ibadan home was raided by Nigerian security forces who killed two of his aides and arrested a further 13. Mr Igboho subsequently turned up in Benin Republic but was arrested at Cotonou airport while he was trying to board a plane to Germany.

Since then, the matter has been in court as the Beninoise authorities have charged Mr Igboho with several immigration offences but the Nigerian government wants him deported. However, the Nigerian government has been unable to field any specific criminal charges against Mr Igboho, putting the Beninoise authorities in a difficult position.

Over the last week, Mr Igboho filed for bail saying he was facing health challenges and requested release so he can receive medical treatment. In what now appears to be the granting of this request, today, he was handed over to the Yoruba self-determination group Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide.

Ilana Omo Oodua spokesperson, Maxwell Adeleye,  said: “Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the government of Republic of Benin. The activist was released on Monday to the leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French language expert/deputy alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

Receiving Mr Igboho in Cotonou, Professor Akintoye described his release as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland. During the bloody raid on Igboho’s Sooka residence, two of his supporters, identified as Adogan and Alfa, lost their lives during the shootout.

However, the aides who were arrested were later released after a court injunction. Also, an Oyo State high court also awarded N20bn in damages in Mr Igboho's favour and restrained the Department of State Security and the attorney-general of the federation from arresting him.