Eight months after he was arrested at the airport of Benin Republic en route Germany, embattled Yoruba rights activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been released from detention.
Igboho was handed over to leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof. Banji Akintoye and a French language expert, Prof. Wale Adeniran on Monday.
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Communications Secretary of the self-determination group, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye.
Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yoruba Land.
– How Igboho found himself in Benin Republic detention –
In July, WuzupNigeria reported how Igboho ran into trouble with authorities in both Nigeria and the small Francophone country.
While the latter vowed to probe how he came about the Benin Republic passport in his possesion, the Federal Government had accused him of planning to stage a war against the state.
Prior to his arrest, an operation was carried out at his Soka residence in Ibadan, Oyo State by the Department of State Services on July 1, 2021.
The raid had allegedly unearthed assault rifles and ammunition.
While the operation lasted, two of the fugitive’s allies were killed while 12 others were prosecuted.
Ten days after he was declared wanted in Nigeria, Igboho and his German wife, Ropo, were apprehended at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.
– Igboho: Agitation to free fugitive from detention –
On July 21, fresh reports suggested that the Federal Government had commenced the process to extradite Igboho from Benin Republic.
The move had fuelled fear among his supporters and political observers who alleged that Benin Republic may hand over the agitator to Nigeria without resistance for obvious reasons.
In October 2021, WuzupNigeria reported that the activist was reportedly diagnosed with a likely kidney or lung problem while in detention.
The news was disclosed by one of his lawyers, Yomi Aliyu, during a recent interview with BBC Yoruba.
Aliyyu revealed that Igboho developed the illness in Benin Republic prison and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
After spending over 200 days in detention, members of Agbekoya Worldwide rose on February 3, 2022 and demanded that the activist be released unconditionally.
The group also threatened to break him out of prison using traditional means if authorities in Benin Republic plan to keep in longer than necessary..
