Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been removed from the federal government’s list of wanted persons following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers in the South-West.
His spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, disclosed this on Sunday, saying all arrangements had been concluded for Igboho’s return to Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu approved the request made by revered Yoruba monarchs.
According to Koiki, the monarchs who played key roles in the intervention include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others. Their collective appeal, he said, led to the Presidency clearing Igboho of all restrictions previously placed on him.
Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, after a joint operation by the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army raided his residence in Ibadan over allegations of illegal possession of arms.
The operation, which occurred amid his campaign against alleged attacks by armed herdsmen in the South-West, resulted in the death of three of his aides and the arrest of 13 others.
He later escaped to the Benin Republic but was arrested at the Cotonou Airport on July 19, 2021, while attempting to travel to Germany. Igboho spent over a year in detention before regaining his freedom in March 2022.
Under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Igboho was declared wanted, denied access to a Nigerian passport, and had his bank accounts frozen, despite court rulings in his favour.
In 2025, during a visit to the Olugbon Palace in Orile Igbon, Oyo State, Igboho publicly expressed his frustration over living in exile and appealed to President Tinubu to review his case. Similar appeals were also made to the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Confirming the latest development, Koiki said Igboho had now received full clearance from the Presidency and could return to the country at any time. He noted that the announcement followed a recent visit by the Olubadan to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“This is a moment of joy for Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland. Chief Sunday Adeyemo has been cleared and is no longer being sought by any government authority,” Koiki said.
He added that Igboho expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu, the South-West monarchs, and Yoruba sons and daughters across the world for standing by him throughout his years in exile.
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