Cotonou court to hear Igboho's case Friday

Mr. Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho) 

The Cour D’Appel De Cotonou, Benin Republic, will hear the case involving Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, today.

The court had earlier adjourned the case after preliminary sitting for a few hours yesterday (Thursday) when Igboho was arraigned before it, but made no decision. He and his wife, Ropo, were then remanded in the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou where they have been kept in cells. 

Signpost of the court where Igboho was arraigned yesterday in Benin Republic |  Source: pmnewsnigeria

According to The Guardian, the Federal Government of Nigeria had asked the Beninoise Court to further detain the Yoruba Nation agitator based on a three-point complaint it tabled against him before the court.

Sunday Igboho is in fact being arraigned for immigration-related offences by the FG. Recall that during the DSS raid on his house some weeks ago, his international passport was reportedly retrieved by the DSS, and is assumed to still be in their custody. Hence, how Igboho was able to cross the border into Benin Republic without his passport and without political asylum being granted him by Cotonou remains a mystery. 

However, there appears to be no formal charge against Igboho as at now, only the complaints brought against him by the FG in court, including trafficking in arms and ammunition, and engaging in acts aimed at dividing Nigeria.

A source referenced by The Guardian said the Nigerian government has not made a formal request for Igboho’s extradition yet, but has only urged the court to further detain him. This request may be to enable government finalise the extradition process.

Scores of Igboho's supporters pictured at the court yesterday | Source: pmnewsnigeria

Meanwhile, scores of Igboho's supporters were reportedly at the venue of the court hearing yesterday in support of the popular Yoruba Nation agitator. While many of them were from Benin Republic, a lot were also reportedly from Lagos state.

It is estimated that Yoruba groups make up the second largest ethnic group in Benin Republic.

Sources: The Guardian, Vanguard