Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba nation agitator, has said he is now legally free to leave Cotonou, Benin Republic, for Nigeria, his home country.

Igboho was arrested in Cotonou in July 2021 while trying to travel to Germany. 

Recall that he had been on the run since the Department of State Services raided his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, in July 2021. The DSS said it found weapons and charms in Igboho’s home, but he has denied any wrongdoing.

Igboho was granted bail in August 2022, but he remained in Cotonou until Sunday when he issued a statement saying he had been granted full freedom to leave Benin Republic for Nigeria.

Speaking to Nigeria Tribune on his release, he said, “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 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. Even though I have been living in Cotonou for some time, I can confirm to you categorically that I have now secured the liberty to leave Cotonou for Nigeria.”

Igboho thanked a number of people, including the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Professor Wole Soyinka; Professor Banji Akintoye; Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Chief Dele Momodu; and Yoruba monarchs.