The Apex Yoruba Youths interest group under the aegis of Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (Igbimọ Àpapọ Ọdọ Yoruba Lágbayé), has written to the Federal Government, seeking the immediate release of embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho.
The group who described the continued detention of Igboho as worrisome, pleaded to the government to order the release of the activist who has spent 196 days in the custody of the Beninoise authorities.
According to the group, the activist has done nothing wrong as he only agitated for the security of lives and properties of Nigerians particularly the Yorubas. The group said Igboho has done well in speaking for the oppressed as well as defending the interest of the citizens.
This was contained in a statement issued by National Secretary of the group, Ogbeni Ajibode Abdulkabir Olawale, and made available to The New Diplomat.
The statement reads, “The detention of Chief Sunday Igboho is highly worrisome and we urge all international community, Royal fathers, political leaders and elites of Yoruba origin to rise up in the demand for the release of a worthy son, who has done his best in defending the interest of our people including lives and properties.
“Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho was indeed successful in his request/agitations for a robust security for lives and properties of our people, and he has done nothing than placed the government on their toes to take security of lives and properties of every citizens of our beloved country very seriously.
“We as concerned indigenous citizens with constitutional entitlement to adequate welfare and robust dividends of genuine democracy demand the release of our dear brother, which we believe the safety of every citizens should be of utmost priority to the government of our nation without prioritizing a particular tribe over others.
“We hereby once again base our request in a letter dated 23rd of December, 2021 and submitted to the office of Hon. Abubakar Makami, SAN, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation through the President’s law firm: Juryman Associates, predicated his request on public perceptions and international communities interests for the discontinuance of all pending legal actions or investigations against Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho both in Nigeria and Republic of Benin accordingly.
“We are working assiduously to ensure that his release is granted, however, all agitators for “Yoruba Nation” needed to be more cautious and cautioned on making further inflammatory statements, especially considering the times we are in.
“Specially, we appreciate Kabiesi Oonirisa’s laudable efforts, alongside Kabiyesi Alaafin intervention so far. We are using this medium to call on well meaning Nigerians and international to raise supports for Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s release.
“We will not relent on other issues of regional and national concerns respectively.”
Recall that the 48-year-old activist and his wife were arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic while attempting to flee to Germany.
Though Ropo was later released after the court found out that she had not committed any offence, Igboho, on his part was remanded in the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou, pending the outcome of investigation conducted on the allegations against him.
The Yoruba rights activist is facing trial on allegations bordering on trafficking in arms, inciting violence and causing disunity in Nigeria.
According to reports, some of the other offences said to have been allegedly committed by the activist bordered on illegal migration, dubious connivance with immigration officers, and an attempt to cause civil unrest.
