Ibe Pascal Arogorn
The case involving Sunday Adeyemo, Yoruba nation agitator popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been adjourned till Friday (today).
The Cour De’appal De Cotonou in Benin Republic adjourned hearing till Friday, July 23.
The separatist activist is believed to have been arraigned on immigration-related offences.
After the adjournment, neither Igboho’s lawyers nor the Beninese counsel spoke on what transpired in the court, BBC Yoruba reports.
Igboho and his wife have been in custody since their arrest at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, as they attempted to board a flight to Germany on Monday.
They were interrogated by Beninese security operatives at the Brigade Criminelle facility between Wednesday and Thursday.
Olayomi Koiki, media aide to Igboho, had earlier said the outcome of the court hearing will be favourable.
“Benin Republic respects its laws and we have to appreciate that instead of listening to distractions. We all know that Igboho is not a criminal or terrorist,” he had said.
“Let us therefore allow the lawyers to do their work. We all want to know the outcome of the case but let us be patient for now. Maybe, there will be more update today or tomorrow. Whatever happens will be in our favour.”
While the hearing lasted, Igboho’s supporters milled around the court premises awaiting the outcome.
Beninise court orders release of Igboho’s wife
Cour D’Appel De Cotonou, Benin Republic has ordered the release of Ropo, the wife of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The court ordered her release after a hearing on Thursday.
However, Igboho was returned to the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
This is as the court adjourned the case involving the Yoruba rights activist till Friday, July 23, 2021.
Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou while trying to catch a flight to Germany.
The PUNCH was told that Ropo was released after the court found out that she had not committed any offence.
“Yes, she has been released,” the National Chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua, Prof Wale Adeniran, said while confirming her release to The PUNCH.
After the hearing, the government lawyer didn’t address journalists.
Ìgbòho’s lawyer, Yomi Aliyu (SAN), explained that “this is not the best time to say anything on the case”.
Sunday Igboho to be tried for immigration offence before extradition hearing
Spirited efforts by the Federal Government to fast track the extradition of Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Ighoho may have hit the rocks as he will be tried for obtaining fake Beninoise international passport in Cotonou, capital of the Republic of Benin, Nigerian Tribune has authoritatively gathered.
Though details of what transpired in the court on Thursday when Igboho was brought, alongside his wife, Ropo were still sketchy, our sources informed Nigerian Tribune that authorities in the neighbouring West African nation insisted on a fair trial for Igboho on immigration offence before considering the demand of Nigerian government over his extradition.
According to the source, the Beninoise government said it will not handle a request for extradition without first trying him for the local offence he was arrested for.
Igboho was arrested on Monday night in Cadjèhoun Airport, Cotonou with a “fake” Beninoise passport while trying to flee to Germany. The Nigerian government, through its Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Tukur Buratai, had mounted pressure on the Beninoise government on extraditing Igboho to Nigeria.
It was gathered that the former Chief of Army Staff wrote two letters to the government of the West African country and insisted on the arrest and extradition of Igboho.
Buratai had in the letters described the activist as a terrorist and murderer.
“Nigeria had written two letters to the West African state, describing Igboho as a terrorist and murderer. The first letter was written on July 7th. A second letter describing his bodily features was passed on to the Benin Republic on Wednesday.
He is expected to be arraigned for immigration-related offences in Benin Republic on Thursday after a deft move by the Buhari government to bring him back to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Igboho hired a Beninoise lawyer identified as Rafael Huvehnou. Huvehnou is currently an attorney to the President of the Benin Republic.
“Igboho had given a statement to the police. He was travelling with a Beninoise passport adjudged to be fake.
Falana to FG: Igboho’s extradition must follow due process — he can’t be deported
Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the federal government cannot extradite Sunday Adeyemo, a Yoruba youth better know as Sunday Igboho, from Benin Republic without due process.
Igboho was declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS) early in July after his Ibadan house was raided by the operatives of the security agency.
He was arrested at Cotonou Airport with his wife on while on their way to Germany on Monday, and he’s currently been held by security operatives in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, Falana said the request by Nigeria to extradite Igboho must be supported by a statement of offences.
“Contrary to speculations in the media, it is submitted that Igboho cannot be expelled from Benin and deported to Nigeria on the basis of his arrest by Interpol without due process as prescribed by Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which provides that ‘A non-national legally admitted in a territory of a State Party to the present Charter, may only be expelled from it by virtue of a decision taken in accordance with the law,’” he said.
“Thus, the Federal Government cannot bring back Igboho to the country without first making a request for his extradition and prosecution in Nigeria pursuant to the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention A/P.1/8/94 on Extradition, which is applicable in the 15 member states of the ECOWAS.
“It is pertinent to note that the 1994 ECOWAS Convention has superseded the 1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Togo, Benin and Ghana pursuant to Article 32 of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition.
“Accordingly, upon the receipt of a request for the extradition of Igboho, the Government of Benin Republic will be under a legal obligation to commence extradition proceedings in one of its domestic courts. It is pertinent to point out that by virtue of Article 28 (2) of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition, the procedure with regard to extradition and provisional arrest are governed solely by the law of the requested State, i.e. Benin Republic.
“Apart from providing for a speedy extradition procedure, the government of Benin Republic shall ensure that Igboho, whose extradition is requested, has the right to be heard by a judicial authority and to be assisted by the lawyer of his own choice. Nigeria is specifically requested by Article 4 of the ECOWAS Convention on Extradition to convince the Court in Cotonou that the offence in respect of which Igboho is wanted is not political or for the purpose of prosecuting him on account of his ethnic group or political opinion. Various provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is also a party, apply as well. As noted, if the person is lawfully within the territory of the rendering State, extradition requires due process.”
Falana said extraordinary rendition frustrates the requirements of the African Charter and the covenant that anyone who is arrested or detained should have a right to challenge the validity of his or her detention.
He said the seizure and rendition of suspects may be characterised as a “forced disappearance” under international human rights law, by which an individual is abducted by persons acting on behalf of or with the acquiescence of the state, followed by a denial of information or other forms of accountability by state authorities.
He added that from the information at his disposal, Tukur Buratai, the new ambassador of Nigeria to Benin Republic, has submitted an application for the deportation of Igboho to Nigeria.
“With respect, the request cannot be granted as it has to comply with Article 18 of the Extradition Convention. It is not sufficient to state that Igboho is wanted for terrorism and murder,” he said.
“The request must be supported by a statement of the offences for which extradition is requested, the time and place of their commission; their legal descriptions; and a reference to the relevant legal provision shall be set out as accurately as possible; and an authenticated copy of the relevant law indicating the sentence which may be or has been imposed for the offence. To that extent, the Republic of Benin has not received a proper request from the Federal Government for the extradition of Igboho.”
He added that the provision for Benin Republic to detain Igboho will be terminated within a period of 20 days if the country has not received an extradition request from Nigeria in accordance with article 15 of the ECOWAS extradition convention.
Sunday Igboho: Ooni Of Ife Rallies Support, Sets Up Advisory Committee
Prominent Yoruba Traditional Rulers may have waded in as the Federal Government is insisting on extradicting Activist Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho, who is currently being held in custody in Benin Republic.
Igboho, arrested on Monday, while attempting to board an aircraft enroute Germany, is spending his fourth day in custody and there are indications that he might be arraigned in Court on Thursday.
There were reports of pockets of demonstration in Ibadan, Oyo state and Court premises in Benin Republic capital on Wednesday to press home the unconditionally release of Igboho.
In an attempt to ensure soft landing for the Yoruba Activist, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has constituted a 28-member Committee of South-west leaders to look into the arrest of Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic.
It was learnt that the committee was inaugurated early this week at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile Ife.
One of the coordinators of the Committee, Chief Akin Osuntokun, who disclosed this explained that the Committee is expected to look into the issues surrounding the arrest of Igboho and related matters.
According to Chief Osuntokun “The Ooni of Ife inaugurated an Advisory Council comprising eminent Yoruba sons and daughters across the political spectrum. It is called the Ooni Caucus.
“The inauguration ceremony had been scheduled over a month ago and it is just an accident that it coincided with reports of Sunday Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou.
“Nonetheless, the Council is actively interested in the new development and would appropriately respond in the nearest future.”
He listed other members of the Ooni caucus to include the Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao; Senator Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti state; Toyin Saraki, Kwara; Segun Awolowo, Doyin Okupe; Gbenga Daniel, from Ogun and Muyiwa Ige, Osun.
Igboho: Shame On Igbo Leaders – Adeyanju
Deji Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, has praised Oba Adeyeye Enita Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, for the action taken in the arrest of Yoruba agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The Ooni of Ife has formed a 28-man committee to discuss the concerns surrounding Igboho’s detention.
The group is said to be made up of prominent Yoruba leaders.
Adeyanju reacted by saying Southeast leaders should be ashamed, accusing them of being scared.
The activist stated in a tweet that self-determination is not a crime.
According to Adeyanju: “BREAKING: Ooni sets up committee on Igboho, rallies south-west leaders.
“All hail the Oni, Igbakeji Orisa. Shame on SE leaders. Fear, fear people. Northern leaders are still defending killer herdsmen after they killed over 20,000 Nigerians. Self determination is not a crime.”
The outcome will favour us’ — Igboho’s aide
Olayomi Koiki, media aide to Sunday Adeyemo, the Yoruba nation agitator better known as Sunday Igboho, says lawyers are fighting hard to defend his principal in court.
The separatist activist is being arraigned at the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Benin Republic, for immigration-related offences.
Igboho and his wife have been in custody since their arrest at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, as they attempted to board a flight to Germany on Monday.
He was expected to have been arraigned on Wednesday but the Benin Republic authorities failed to present him in court.
Hordes of his supporters have been trooping to the court in Cotonou since Wednesday in anticipation of his appearance.
Speaking during a live session on his Facebook page, Koiki said Igboho’s defence counsel are putting up a good fight at the hearing.
He said: “We thank those who have joined us from all over the world to know what is happening in Cotonou. The case is still ongoing, that is what we can say for now. Our legal representatives are working so we should entertain no fear.
“Benin Republic respects its laws and we have to appreciate that instead of listening to distractions. We all know that Igboho is not a criminal or terrorist.
“Let us therefore allow the lawyers to do their work. We all want to know the outcome of the case but let us be patient for now. Maybe, there will be more update today or tomorrow. Whatever happens will be in our favour.”
Igboho was declared wanted by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) early in July after a raid on his Ibadan house.
Two people were killed by the DSS in the late night raid while 12 others persons were arrested and later paraded in Abuja. They have since been charged to court.
