After Two Years in Custody, Sunday Igboho Gets His Freedom from Benin Republic

Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has declared his legal freedom to return to Nigeria after nearly two years of exile in the Republic of Benin. Igboho, who was arrested by the Beninese authorities in July 2021 while trying to board a flight to Germany with his wife, had been detained in Cotonou on charges of illegal possession of weapons and immigration offences. He had also been declared wanted by the Nigerian government for his role in leading the secessionist movement for a Yoruba nation and allegedly stockpiling arms in his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Igboho announced his release in a video posted on his Instagram page on October 8, 2023, where he thanked former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other prominent Nigerians for their intervention in his case. He also expressed his gratitude to his supporters and lawyers who had been fighting for his freedom. He said he was ready to return to Nigeria if he wanted to, as he had no case with the Nigerian government. He also said he was on his way to Germany, where he has family and business interests.

Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Aliyu SAN, confirmed his release to BBC Yoruba, saying that the Beninese government had cleared him of any wrongdoing and allowed him to leave the country. He said Igboho was free to enter Nigeria or any other country of his choice, as he had not committed any crime. He also said Igboho was still committed to the cause of the Yoruba nation and would continue to advocate for it peacefully.