Why Sunday Igboho released from detention – Activist’s Lawyer

Yomi Aliyu (SAN), counsel to Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Igboho has revealed the condition for releasing activist.

Aliyu said Igboho has not been released from detention in the Benin Republic but only to attend to his health.

Newsflash Nigeria reported that the Yoruba Nation activist was released from detention on Monday by the Benin Republic Government after spending 231 days in detention.

A terse statement on Monday by the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, confirmed Igboho’s release.

The Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Maxwell Adeleye, explained Igboho was released to Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a “Triumph of truth over darkness in Yoruba land.”

But Aliyu said the activist was released from detention on at least two conditions.

“The conditions are not too tough. He won’t hold any rally and can’t leave Cotonou,” one of the lawyers said.

He said two of the condition were that Igboho should not leave the medical centre or Cotonou.

In an interview with Vanguard, Alliyu said Sunday Igboho was only released to be taken to the hospital to attend to his ill health, adding that he cannot leave the West African country.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria added that his client was released based on health grounds and not released from detention permanently.

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Alliyu, however, commended Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Banji Akintoye for the turnaround in his client’s matter.

He said: “Igboho has not been released; he was only released to be taken to the hospital to attend to his ill health. The last time we spoke, I told you that we were making arrangements to take him to the hospital over his ill health. So, he was released based on health grounds.

“I am to inform you that Chief Sunday Adeyemo has been released from prison to his medical practitioners under the agreement that he should not leave the medical centre or Cotonou for any reason.

“Praises should be given to two prominent Yoruba personalities to wit Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Akintoye for this turnaround in our client’s matter.”

Igboho, who escaped from a deadly raid on his Ibadan residence by the operatives of the Department of State Service on July 1, 2021, was arrested in the Benin Republic on his way to Germany on July 19 together with his wife, Ropo. His wife was released earlier.

During the bloody raid on Igboho’s Sooka residence, the Department of State Services arrested and detained 13 of Igboho’s associates. Two of Igboho’s supporters, identified as Adogan and Alfa, lost their lives during the raid.

DSS also presented seven AK-47 rifles allegedly recovered during the raid on Igboho’s house on July 1, as well as three pump-action guns, 30 fully charged AK-47 magazines, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five cutlasses, one jack-knife, one pen knife, two pistol holsters, a pair of binoculars, a wallet containing $5, local and international driving licences in his name, ATM cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name, two whistles, 50 cartridges and 18 walkie-talkies.

Others were three charm jackets/traditional body armour, two laptops, one Toshiba and one Compaq laptop, Igboho’s passport and those of his aides.

However, the aides were later released after a court injunction.

An Oyo State High Court also awarded N20 billion in damages in the activist’s favour. The court also restrained the Department of State Security and Attorney General of the Federation from arresting Igboho.

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