A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has revealed why the government of Benin Republic refused to repatriate Yoruba nation freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemi, also known as Igboho.
Falana disclosed that the government of Benin Republic insisted that Igboho must be tried in court before he could be repatriated to Nigeria.
Speaking with BBC Yoruba, on Tuesday, the activist lawyer said the insistence of the government of Benin Republic was responsible for Igboho’s trial.
According to Falana: “Benin Republic told Nigeria: ‘we are heading to court. Without us going to court, we cannot hand Igboho over to you’. This is the reason why Igboho’s case is ongoing over there. And that is how it is supposed to be under the law.
“The judge will critically look into Nigeria’s demands, why Nigeria wants to repatriate Igboho from Cotonou to Abuja. That is what the law of Benin says; in fact that is what the Nigerian law also says.”
Igboho is currently undergoing trial in Cotonou, Benin Republic, after he was arrested recently.
The Yoruba nation agitator was arrested at an airport while attempting to travel to Germany.
Igboho had fled Nigeria to Benin Republic after he was declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS, following the alleged discovery of weapons in his house in Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
DSS had made the discovery during a raid of the property unannounced.
However, Igboho had denied ownership of the weapons, stressing that he protected himself with traditional powers.