Sunday Igboho regains freedom in Benin Republic, set to return to Nigeria

The Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has regained freedom after over two years of incarceration in the Republic of Benin, and is set to return to Nigeria, his home country,

Penpushing reports that Igboho made this known in a video clip circulated on social media on Sunday showing him while appreciating his supporters, explaining that he has fulfilled all legal conditions attached to his bail

‘I am now free to return to Nigeria and visit any country in the world. I have fulfilled all the legal conditions attached to my bail a few years back and I am coming home to Nigeria, my country of origin, any moment from now. I can confirm to you that I am now free to come back to Nigeria. There is no legal encumbrance again’, he was quoted saying.

Penpushing reports further that the Yoruba nation agitator was seen in white dress and seated on a plastic chair as he read out a prepared speech in the video clip and thanked his kinsmen across the world for their support during his trying period

The Yoruba nation agitator singled out a leading figure of the Yoruba nation agitation, Banji Akintoye; Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for their roles in securing his release.

Penpushing also reports that Igboho acknowledged the sympathetic gestures he received over the death of her mother during his incarceration, disclosing that her body was still being kept in the morgue for him to return to give her a befitting burial.

The Yoruba freedom fighter it is recalled came to the limelight in January 2021, when he issued a seven-day ultimatum to Fulani residents in Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State to leave to check kidnappings allegedly perpetrated in the area by herders linked to the ethnic group.

Penpushing reports that Igboho thereafter led a mob to burn down the house of the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Saliu Abdulkadri, in the community, while he soon became a target of the State Security Service (SSS).

The freedom fighter later became more aggressive in his campaigns against herdsmen accused of kidnapping in South-West States, and took a leading role to agitate for the liberation of Yoruba people from insufferable attacks and being shortchanged in the Nigeria nation.

 Penpuhing further reports that Igboho was later declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS) over his agitation for Yoruba nation sovereignty, and thereafter invaded his home located in Soka, Ibadan, capital of Oyo State around 1:00 a.m. on 1 July 2021.

The State Security Service (SSS) during the raid shot dead some of Ighoho’s aides, his vehicles, including his G-wagon, and Prado Jeep, and some valuable properties including furniture, and windows were destroyed.

Penpushing also reports that the spokesperson for the State Security Service (SSS), Peter Afunnaya, alleged that seven AK 47 rifles, pump action guns and 5,000 rounds of ammunition and other weapons were recovered from the apartment.

The Service image maker added that the security operatives recovered the weapons after a hot gun duel between them and Igboho’s guards, and admitted that two of Igboho’s men were killed in the process while a security agent was shot in the right hand and hospitalised.

Penpushing reports that in response to the allegations Igboho refuted the State Security Service (SSS) claim, stating that the said weapons were not his and that security operatives planted ammunition in his house to implicate him.

The State Security Service (SSS), however, declared him (Igboho) wanted, and on July 19,2021 was arrested in neighbouring Cotonou, Benin Republic, at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou while trying to travel to Germany.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that an Oyo State High Court on 17 September 2021, awarded N20 billion cost as exemplary and aggravated damage against the State Security Services (SSS) over the invasion of Igboho’s residence on 1 July 2021.

Meanwhile, in contrary to the High Court ruling the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, however, in August 2022 nullified the N20 billion judgement with a position that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

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