There is a antithetical development to detention of Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho in Benin prison, as his stay has been reportedly extended by six months.
The counsel for the detained activist, Chief Yomi Aliyu SAN today confirmed the extended incarceration of his client .
Recall that an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi on Saturday said that the 49-year-old agitator would soon regain freedom.
Olajengbesi, in a Facebook post on Saturday had stated that Igboho’s freedom would attract wild jubilation across Yorubaland.
According to Aliyu, the extension of Igboho’s detention date is coming less than two days after Olajengbesi made the announcement though he has since resigned from the team of Nigerian lawyers handling Igboho’s case.
Aliyu on Sunday night stated that, “The government of the Republic of Benin has renewed the incarceration of Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa for another six months even though there is no criminal charge in their file in Cotonou and without extradition request from Nigeria”.
This development is a blow to the hope generated among his camp of supporters following Olajengbesi’s announcement, as they have been expressing worries over his prolonged stay in detention.
Igboho has been in detention in Benin Republic since he was arrested at the Cotonou airport by the West Africa’s Nation Security Forces, while he was trying to visit Germany in July 2021.
The 49-year-old agitator left Nigeria for Benin Republic after the Federal Government declared him wanted and he has since spent over 200 days in detention in Benin Republic prison.
Meanwhile, a Beninise court had blocked the extradition move of Igboho to Nigeria while ruling that the activist be remanded in prison pending further hearing.