How Sunday Igboho’s Release Was Achieved Without Tinubu’s Intervention, By Yoruba Leader

The leader of the Yoruba Self-determination Movement, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has debunked the claims made by some Igbo militant leaders that President Bola Tinubu was behind the release of Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) from Benin Republic.

He said that Tinubu had nothing to do with Igboho’s freedom and urged the Igbo militants to stop spreading false information.

Igboho was arrested in Benin Republic in July 2021 while trying to flee to Germany after his house was raided by the Nigerian security forces. He was accused of agitating for the secession of the Yoruba people from Nigeria and charged with illegal possession of weapons and immigration offences. He spent several months in detention before he was finally freed last week.

Akintoye, who is one of the leaders of the Yoruba nation struggle, issued a statement through his spokesman Gani Alagbala, clarifying that Igboho’s release was a result of the efforts of the Yoruba leadership and their allies at home and abroad.

He said that they relied on God’s grace and the justice system of Benin Republic, which did not succumb to any political pressure from Nigeria.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Benin Republic government for upholding Igboho’s human rights and granting him his freedom. He said that no politician or official of the Nigerian government was involved in the process, contrary to what an unnamed Igbo militant leader claimed in a viral video.

The Igbo militant leader had alleged that Tinubu, who is the president of Nigeria, was responsible for securing Igboho’s release and demanded that he should do the same for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu is facing trial in Abuja for treason and terrorism charges and is being held by the Department of State Security (DSS).

Akintoye said that he did not blame the Igbo brothers for seeking Kanu’s freedom in any way, but he urged them to stop spreading lies about Tinubu’s role in Igboho’s case.

He said that Tinubu had no influence or interest in the matter and that he was not in a position to intervene on Kanu’s behalf.

He also wished Kanu a speedy release from detention and hoped that he would be treated fairly by the Nigerian authorities. He said that both Igboho and Kanu were fighting for the self-determination of their people and deserved respect and support from all Nigerians.

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