Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly met with the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon and some other Beninoise authorities over the continued detention of a popular Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Igboho.
According to a report by TheCable, top sources in the diplomatic circles disclosed that Obasanjo who travelled to Zanzibar, an island in Tanzania on August 1 to condole with Nicephore Soglo on his wife’s demise, rerouted to Benin republic.
Soglo is a former president of Benin republic who served between 1991 to 1996. He was also one of the African leaders who intervened when the late General Sani Abacha jailed Obasanjo in 1995.
Speaking further, the source stated that the former president reportedly appealed to Talon to grant Igboho asylum.
Recall that Igboho had filed an asylum application in the Republic of Benin, in a bid to stop his extradition to Nigeria.
“Former President Obasanjo travelled to Zanzibar on August 1. Perhaps to conceal his trip; he rerouted to Benin Republic.
“He was to condole with former President Soglo who recently lost his wife.
“He also met with Patrice Talon. The purpose of the meeting was to seek soft-landing for Sunday Igboho. He’s asking the Beninese authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria.
“The former president intervened on the request of some South-West leaders,” the source told theCable.
Recall that Igboho was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic on July 19, 2021 while trying to catch a flight to Germany. The activist has since been arraigned before the Cour De’appal De Cotonou.
According to reports, Igboho is being tried on immigration-related issues. The court is said to be investigating why and how the activist came to Benin.
The fate of Igboho is currently up in the air amid media reports that there are strong indications Benin Republic is likely to grant the activist an asylum.
