Details of what Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Igboho told the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, during the court proceedings on Monday have begun to emerge.
Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou while trying to catch a flight to Germany last week’s Monday, was brought before the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Monday.
During the proceedings, the court ruled that Igboho be transferred to another detention facility in Cotonou.
The court, after a 13-hour hearing from the prosecution and defence lawyers ruled that Igboho be remanded in detention pending when all investigations would be concluded.
Explaining what transpired in court on Monday, counsel to Igboho, Ibrahim Salami who spoke with the Nation said the activist is being tried for immigration-related matters.
The lawyer added that the court questioned Igboho on the reason he decided to travel to Benin Republic when the Nigerian government had declared him wanted.
According to Salami, Igboho explained that he had never been tried before, adding that he decided to flee Nigeria to Benin Republic because of the people trying to kill him.
Igboho explained that after the operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) raided his residence, he decided to go underground to save his life. He added that he didn’t travel to Benin Republic to cause harm or havoc but to flee to Germany.
“While defending himself on the criminal allegations put on his head by Nigeria, Igboho told the judges that he had never been tried for any crime in his life.
“When the judge asked him how and when he entered the Benin Republic, who housed him and who took him to the airport, Igboho told the court that his coming to the Benin Republic was to flee from his traducers who wanted to kill him in Nigeria.
“He stressed that he spent less than one day in Cotonou before attempting to travel to Germany,” Salami added.
While reacting to the court ruling that Igboho be transferred to another detention facility, Salami said that he was amazed given the fact that the Nigerian government has not filed any charges against his client.
Salami said Igboho was sent to prison to allow investigation into how he came into Cotonou and why.
“What amazed me is the fact that the judge was explicit that Igboho’s continued detention is not as a result of his issues with Nigeria, that he is being sent to prison because of infractions committed here in the Benin Republic.
“We have also not seen any written complaints from Nigeria being placed before the court. It is a case between the Benin Republic and Sunday Igboho – nothing more,” he explained.
Explaining why Monday’s proceeding was prolonged, Salami said it was because the trial is being handled by three judges.
According to him, the functions of the three judges are different but complementary; prosecution judge, investigative judge, and the judge of liberty or detention.
He added that the matter before the prosecution judge office did not commence until 2 pm, because of the numerous tasks the prosecutor’s office needed to handle. The trial was then moved to the investigative judge by 3 pm, lasting till around 6pm.
It was the judge of liberty or detention, who took over from his investigative colleague at night that ruled that more time is needed for the court to establish the true reasons behind Igboho’s coming to Benin Republic.
