Igboho seeks asylum in Benin Republic

The Federal Government of Nigeria which has not said anything on the arrest and planned repatriation of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, sent representatives to the Cour De’appal De Cotonou on Thursday and accused Igboho of importing firearms

The FG delegation also insisted that Igboho be remanded in police custody until it concludesd the process of his extradition.

The Beninise court had earlier ruled on Thursday ruled that Igboho’s Germany-based wife, Ropo, should be released unconditionally as there were no charges against her.

The court, however, ruled that Igboho be remanded in police custody till the next week when sitting would resume in the French-speaking court.

The two were arrested at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou on Monday while they tried to catch a flight to Germany. Igboho was earlier declared wanted by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he denied. The secret police had also raided his house, killed two of his associates and arrested about 12 of them.

The Nigerian Government has made attempts to get him (Igboho) but Benin Republic didn’t release him. The Nigerian Government has requested him but the Beninese Government has not released him because the latter has not even identified him as a Nigerian.

“The only instrument they can use to identify him as a Nigerian is the passport, but that is not what was found on him.”

Nothing is happening on extradition for now because the priority case for the Benin Republic is that he is alleged to have committed an offence against their law. So, they can’t hold any extradition hearing until they get to the root of the matter on how he got the Benin Republic passport.

“I am suspecting that even if the court orders his release, he will be rearrested because of the Nigerian Government’s accusation that he is a gunrunner.Igboho has already applied for asylum in Germany and he hopes to file a similar application in Benin Republic in the coming days,” the source said.

The source also said that there was the possibility that the Beninese Government would drop the migration-related offences brought against Igboho over alleged forgery of passport.