The authorities of the Republic of Benin have released Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Ighoho, an embattled Yoruba nation fighter, eight months after he was detained in the country.
Professor Banji Akintoye, the leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, and Professor Wale Adeniran, a French language expert/deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, received Igboho yesterday.
Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, the group’s communications secretary, reported Akintoye as describing Igboho’s release as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland in a statement.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had raided Igboho’s Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021, killed two of his aides and arrested 12 others who were later released after months in detention at the secret police’s headquarters in Abuja.
Igboho was declared wanted by the DSS for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilize Nigeria, an allegation he denied. He escaped to the neighboring francophone country in July 2021.
However, luck ran out on him as he was arrested by Interpol at a Benin airport on July 19, 2021, when he tried to board a Germany-bound flight.
He was remanded in a prison in the Benin Republic since then where he was said to have faced trial for immigration-related offenses, amongst others.
Akintoye, who had earlier said he relocated to the Benin Republic to secure Igboho’s freedom, announced yesterday that the activist had been freed.
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA) has praised Akintoye for sticking by Igboho and obtaining his release from detention in the Benin Republic.
All Yoruba nation agitators were urged to take a break and jointly support Yoruba leaders, according to the group.
Olalekan Hammed, the group’s national president, said Akintoye deserved recognition and that he stood by Ighoho and helped him get out of prison in Benin.
However, Igboho will not leave Cotonou, Benin Republic, despite his release from detention in the country.
His counsel, Chief Yomi Aliyyu (SAN), said this in a message 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 center or Cotonou for any reason.
“Praises should be given to two prominent Yoruba personalities to wit; Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof (Banji) Akintoye, for this turnaround in our client’s matter.”
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.), according to PUNCH.
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.
