Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), has been released from custody by Beninese authorities, regaining his freedom.
Igboho a prominent Yoruba nationalist agitator, advocates for the establishment of a separate Yoruba nation in Nigeria, stirring both support and controversy.
Following the fulfillment of all the legal conditions tied to his bail from a few years ago, Igboho is now preparing to return to Nigeria, having been granted his freedom by the authorities.
Background
In January 2021, Igboho, emerged as a prominent figure, issuing a stern ultimatum.
The warning demanded that Fulani residents in Igangan, Oyo State, leave within seven days.
This ultimatum was prompted by escalating kidnappings, reportedly committed by herders from the Fulani ethnic group in the region.
Allegedly, Igboho led a mob that set ablaze the house of Saliu Abdulkadri, the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, in Igangan.
As his activism gained momentum, the State Security Service (SSS) took notice of Igboho.
Consequently, he became a central figure in campaigns against herders accused of kidnappings in South-western states and fervently championed the cause of Yoruba self-determination.
The situation escalated further when, the SSS declared Igboho wanted.
This development led to the dramatic events of July 1, 2021, when SSS operatives conducted a predawn raid on Igboho’s residence in Soka, Ibadan.
During this operation, they seized weapons, including seven AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition with Igboho’s vehicles and property were destroyed.
Tragically, two of Igboho’s associates lost their lives and a security agent was wounded.
Amid these events, Igboho vehemently denied ownership of the weapons, alleging that security operatives planted them to frame him.
Despite being declared wanted in Nigeria. Igboho managed to evade arrest until July 19, 2021, when he was apprehended in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to travel to Germany.
He was removed from his plane at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou and taken into custody by Beninese police.
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Returning to the legal arena, an Oyo State High Court awarded N20 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages against the SSS for their invasion of Igboho’s residence on July 1, 2021.
However, the legal landscape shifted when, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan nullified this judgment.
The court held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
