Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has expressed optimism that Yoruba can achieve self-determination “without firing a bullet”.
He was quoted as saying this in a statement by one of his counsels, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), on Thursday.
The Yoruba rights activist also called on his supporters, especially his kinsmen at home and in the diaspora to embrace dialogue in their quest for self-determination “without heating up the fragile situation” in Nigeria.
Igboho said that he would continue to preach against war, considering the situation in Ukraine and some parts of the South-East in Nigeria.
He thanked all his supporters, leaders, and President of Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, over his release from prison.
The statement read, “Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa thanked all that are supporting him, especially his leaders, Baba Prof. Akintoye and Baba Prof. Wale Adeniran and all Nigerians especially his people in Ilana Oodua and affiliates seeking self-determination.
“He continues to preach against war seeing what is happening in Ukraine and some parts of Igboland in Nigeria. He implored all, especially his kinsmen at home and in the diaspora, to embrace dialogue in their quest for self-determination without heating up the very fragile situation in Nigeria.
“He believes that their ambition will be achieved without firing a bullet as he used to say at rallies.
“He appreciates Chief Dele Momodu being the only Yorubaman of note that came to visit him in Cotonou prison. He remains grateful to the President of the Republic of Benin, President Talon, for releasing him from prison with a view to uniting him with members of his immediate family, albeit only in Cotonou for the time being.
“He assures all those in support of peaceful self-determination through a referendum that the struggle continues as he will not relent in his efforts in that regard.
“He pledged his eternal loyalty and respect to Chief Yomi Alliyu SAN who though an extreme Buharist and a nationalist who does not believe in balkanisation of Nigeria, exhibited extreme professionalism in taking up his case with DSS without a kobo and winning it with landmark award of #20.5billion dollars!”
Igboho who fled the country to avoid arrest was on Monday, February 07, given a conditional release from prison in Benin Republic eight months after he was detained there.
Sunday Igboho had been detained in Benin’s commercial capital Cotonou on accusations of “criminal association”.
The Federal Government has reportedly been seeking his extradition since July 2021, when he fled following a raid on his home in the city of Ibadan.
Department of State Services’ officials claimed they found military equipment and other weapons at the house.
Police at the time accused Igboho and his associates of planning to wage a violent insurrection against Nigeria.
He was arrested in Benin while attempting to board a flight for Germany.
Igboho had demanded independence for the Yoruba people following violence he attributed to Fulani herders in his region.
The Yoruba rights activist was released from detention on at least two conditions..
Lawyers in the know of his release conditions made this known on Monday.
They made this known shortly after the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, announced Igboho’s release.
“The conditions are not too tough. He won’t hold any rally and can’t leave Cotonou,” one of the lawyers said.
Also, Counsel for the activist, Chief Yomi Aliyyu, SAN, said two of the condition were that Igboho should not leave the medical centre or Cotonou.
He said, “I am to inform all the followers of Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa that he has been released from prison to his medical practitioners under the agreement that he should neither leave the medical centre nor Cotonou for any reason.
“Praises should be given to two prominent Yoruba personalities — Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof Akintoye for this turnaround in our client’s matter.”
Aliyyu had on Thursday last week announced that Igboho had begun fresh negotiation with the Benin Republic government over his health status.
He explained that Igboho negotiated to be moved to another detention facility over his health status.
Igboho, who escaped from a deadly raid on his Ibadan residence by the operatives of the Department of State Service on July 1, 2021, was arrested in Benin Republic on his way to Germany on July 19 together with his wife, Ropo. His wife was released earlier.
During the bloody raid on Igboho’s Sooka residence, the Department of State Services arrested and detained 13 of Igboho’s associates. Two of Igboho’s supporters, identified as Adogan and Alfa, lost their lives during the raid.
DSS also presented seven AK-47 rifles allegedly recovered during the raid on Igboho’s house on July 1, as well as three pump-action guns, 30 fully charged AK-47 magazines, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five cutlasses, one jack-knife, one pen knife, two pistol holsters, a pair of binoculars, a wallet containing $5, local and international driving licences in his name, ATM cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name, two whistles, 50 cartridges and 18 walkie-talkies.
Others were three charm jackets/traditional body armour, two laptops, one Toshiba and one Compaq laptop, Igboho’s passport and those of his aides.
However, the aides were later released after a court injunction.
An Oyo State High Court also awarded N20 billion in damages in the activist’s favour. The court also restrained the Department of State Security and Attorney General of the Federation from arresting Igboho.
The Punch
