A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has reacted to reports that the government of the Republic of Benin has extended the incarceration of Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho for six months.
Sani who took to his Twitter handle on Monday condemned the move, stating that even though he doesn’t support Igboho’s agitation, the reported extension is not only inhumane but condemnable.
He wrote: “I don’t support Igboho’s separatist ideas and activities in any way, but the reported extension of his detention by six months is inhuman and condemnable.”
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Beninise government extended the activist’s detention further by six months.
This contradicts a recent announcement by an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, that Igboho will soon be released from detention.
Though Olajengbesi has since resigned from the team of lawyers handling Igboho’s case, he posted on Facebook over the weekend that “Chief Sunday Igboho will be out very soon and there will be massive jubilation across the entire Yoruba land.”
“He is no doubt a courageous man. This is very authoritative just that our Yoruba leaders should stop being selfish and allow good to prevail,” he had added.
However, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), counsel for Igboho, on Sunday night said the Benin Republic government had extended Igboho’s incarceration without any hearing.
Alliyu said, “The government of the Republic of Benin has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho Oosa for another six months even though there is no criminal charge in their file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria.”
Igboho has been detained in Benin Republic since he was arrested at the Cotonou airport by security forces in the West African nation while he was trying to fly to Germany in July 2021.
Igboho fled Nigeria after his house was raided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
