Igboho’s Trial: He can be extradicted through political arrangement – Lawyer

Ibrahim Salami, who is one of the Benin Republic-based lawyers of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, has made it clear that the activist cannot be extradited to Nigeria by any legal means.
The lawyer claimed there was no agreement between Nigeria and Benin Republic that could make an extradition possible.
According to Salami, Igboho can only be extradited by political arrangement, which in his opinion, is dangerous for his safety.
Igboho’s wife, Ropo, who was arrested with the 48-year-old activist on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on their way to Germany, has been released.
The agitator is expected to appear in court again on Monday (today) and Salami has urged Igboho’s supporters to stay away.
He said, “When we went to court on Thursday, we had a large turnout of Igboho’s supporters. I frowned at their actions. They should stay at home and let us do our job. Igboho is accused of causing disorderliness and civil unrest. If they are now mobilising to court, it may send the wrong signal. They should support him with prayers from home.
Meanwhile, the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria not to treat Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, like Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB because it could lead to a national crisis.
OPC disclosed this in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, at the weekend.
Igboho is expected to appear in court again on Monday (today) after he was arrested in the Republic of Benin after he was declared wanted by the Department of State Security, DSS.
Kanu, meanwhile, is presently in detention in the custody of the DSS while his trial continues.
The statement read in part, “flayed Federal Government’s approach in Igboho’s ordeals, maintaining that the use and application of force on self-determination agitators has only justified Federal Government’s lack of respect for human rights and intolerance to the views of others.”
“Unfolding events have shown that there are lapses in the way the FG handles cases of self-determination agitators like Sunday Igboho, and I will like to state it clearly that the FG must desist from clamping down on self-determination agitators because such move can only fuel national crisis.
He said, “The FG has been silent on the extradition order because it might trigger more crises. You cannot treat Igboho the Nnamdi Kanu way, it would not work, so I am appealing to the FG to learn from history and ensure that the fundamental human rights of the citizens are protected in such a way that we can begin to appreciate the fact that we truly follow the tenets of democracy.”
In a related development, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has sent a delegation to Cotonou, Benin Republic over the court case involving Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho.
A statement by the first-class monarch’s Director of Media and Publicity, Adeola Oloko, did not disclose the identity of members of the delegation.
He, however, said the delegation was sent to observe the proceedings of the court case involving Sunday Igboho.
The statement quoted Oba Adetunji as saying this at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace on Sunday while exchanging views with some leaders of thought comprising the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes led by President General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga, first vice President General, Dr Tirimisiyu Oladimeji; Ekefa Olubadan, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi; Ajia Olubadan, Chief Wasiu Aderoju Alaadorin; Mogaji Makusota, Prof. Oluwasegun Adekunle and Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Mr Adeola Oloko.
Olubadan said this would allay the fears of several people, including protesters who besieged his palace that he was folding his arms over the travails of Sunday Igboho and his co-travellers.
The first-class monarch also stated that he was in constant touch with Yoruba prominent royal fathers, including Igboho royal crowns.
He also noted that he would not allow the “repeat performance of Yoruba-Fulani coalition of 1814”.
The Beninese court adjourned Igboho’s case till Monday (today) after his five lawyers failed to convince the prosecutor that he had no case to answer.
The Beninese authorities have, however, released Ropo, the agitator’s wife, who was arrested with the 48-year-old activist on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin on their way to Germany.
On his part, Igboho was returned to police custody.
The lawyers had said that during the hearing, prosecutors claimed Igboho was on a watchlist for alleged trafficking in arms, inciting violence that could result in social disturbance and causing disunity in Nigeria.
Also, the Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, predicted on Sunday that detained Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho will be set free by Benin Republic.
The cleric also revealed that Igboho cannot actualize Yoruba nation which he continues to clamour for.
Primate Ayodele who recently revealed that Nigeria would no longer be together in the nearest future said that Sunday Igboho would not actualize the secession.
He also said that he is not in support of calls for a Yoruba nation as championed by Igboho.
The cleric cautioned the Federal Government to tread softly on Igboho’s case so it doesn’t miscalculate.