The Federal Government of Nigeria is yet to come up with charges against Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Igboho, who is currently facing trial in a Beninoise court, stalling the extradition process of the activist to Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Igboho’s legal team as contained in a statement issued by Communications Manager, Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye.
The lawyers during a court proceedings which held in the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Benin Republic, Thursday, regarding Igboho also said contrary to claims, there was no extradition agreement between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
The New Diplomat had reported that Igboho who was arrested by the Beninoise authorities alongside his wife inside a Cotonou airport, was arraigned before the Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Thursday.
The agitator was taken back to police custody after his appearance in court Thursday. But his wife, Ropo has been released with her travelling documents, including a German passport returned to her by authorities in Benin.
According to reports, Igboho is being tried for allegedly obtaining a Beninoise passport without being a citizen.
The statement by Adeleye stressed that Benin Republic was unable to continue with the extradition process of the activist immediately because the Nigerian government was yet to file an allegation against the activist in court that would warrant his repatriation to the country.
The legal team also added that the case has been adjourned till Monday, in a bid to give the government of Nigeria more opportunity to bring evidence against the activist.
The statement reads, “Yesterday, the court set Mrs. Adeyemo, lgboho’s wife free since it has been found that she has committed no offence and there’s no complaints whatsoever against her. Consequently, her German passport was returned to her.
“The lawyers handling the case reported after the proceedings that Chief Sunday Adeyemo lgboho cannot be extradited to Nigeria for two principal reasons:
“That contrary to insinuations, Nigeria and Benin have no Extradition Agreement.
“That Nigeria has not been able to come up with charges that could lead the court to order lgboho’s extradition to Nigeria.
“What Nigerian Government came up with were mere allegations against Ighoho such as trafficking in arms and inciting violence that could result in the social disturbance without evidence which the Government of Benin Republic considered spurious and untenable, and insufficient to warrant extradition.
“Lastly, the case has been adjourned till Monday 26th July to allow the Nigerian Government bring up whatever evidence they may have, and Mr. lgboho has been taken back to the police custody.”
