Daniel Madele, Porto Novo
Arrested Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has been released, hours after he was detained in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
A reliable source told Irohinoodua correspondent in Porto Novo, Daniel Madele, that Igboho was on his way to Germany where he was expected to meet his family members.
Sources said his release was partly due to Western countries involving Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States mounting intense pressure on the Government of the Republic of Benin not to hand over Igboho to the Nigerian authorities.
Sources in Cotonou hinted Irohinoodua that the Ambassadors of some Western nations reached out to the authorities of the Benin Republic asking him not to hand over Igboho to the Nigerian government.
They hinged their arguments on strong suspicion that Igboho would not get justice if returned to his home country.
“We do not think returning Igboho to Nigeria will set standards for the Benin Republic in line with global human rights best practices,” a diplomat said in the Republic of Benin.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Mr. Leesi Ebenezer Olarewaju based in the United States who is one of those representing Chief Adeyemo said there were strong indications the Republic of Benin would not transfer Igboho to Nigeria.
Olanrewaju said the authorities of the International Police and the Government of the Republic of Benin were not willing to return Igboho to Nigeria.
He said under international laws, Igboho was not seen to have committed any crime but merely fighting for self-determination which is recognized under international law
He said Benin arrested Igboho based on ‘alarm’ raised by Nigeria.
He said the British and German governments already had shown interest in the case.
He said “We are on top of the situation right now. We have successfully notified the British government of the dangers of letting Sunday Adeyemo return to Nigeria where his life is at risk. We believe that before the end of today, Britain would have granted his request for asylum in good faith.”
In 1995, a similar incidence involving Prof Adesegun Banjo and his wife Ngozi played out when they were arrested by Beninoise authorities on charges of insurgency. The government of late Gen Sani Abacha exerted so much pressure on the Republic of Benin including an offer of $1million. However, western nations put pressure on the Government of Benin which later released Adebanjo and his wife. The couple then escaped to Ghana and later to Zimbabwe.