Embattled Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho will on Sunday be marking 49th birthday, however, it will be in Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic.
Igboho, born in 1972, hails from Igboho town, located in Oke Ogun area, Oyo State.
Nicknamed after his hometown, Igboho later rose to fame following his role in the Modakeke-Ife communal crisis in 1997, where he played part.
Many believe Igboho has metaphysical abilities making him a formidable opponent in battle.He also earned the ‘Akoni Oodua’, a title that means ‘Warrior of Yorubaland’.
He came into national limelight in January, when he gave a seven-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate Ibarapa, Oyo State due to the criminal activities of armed herders.
Igboho had accused criminal herders of being responsible for the killings, rape and kidnappings in southwest.
His supporters held rallies across various southwest states including Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, and Ogun states respectively.
But Igboho has been in the eye of the storm since he was arrested by the operatives of Brigade criminelle (Criminal Brigade) on July 19 in Cotonou.
The Nation reports before Igboho’s arrest, his Ibadan home was raided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), killing two of his aides and arresting 12 others during the operation.
Igboho, after going underground for 19 days, was finally arrested in neighbouring Cotonou, Benin Republic, while trying to travel to Germany.
Igboho was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin alongside his wife Ropo, on their way to Germany.
His wife has been released but Igboho who was first detained at the Brigade économique et financière (BEF), is currently at Prison Civile de Cotonou — Cotonou Civil Prison.
In the last judgment, the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered that Igboho should be kept in prison custody.
Igboho currently sick, says lawyer
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou-based lawyers while speaking about the update on Igboho’s case in a interview with BBC Yoruba obtained by The Nation, said Igboho is currently sick in detention.
Also, Olayomi Koiki, Igboho’s spokesperson during the week had earlier said his principal needs urgent medical attention.
The lawyer said the injuries Igboho sustained during the raid affected his health.
He also noted that due to severity of the condition, Igboho wants to travel to Germany to take care of his health and also conduct further operations.
“It is quite a serious condition. He does not want to seek medical attention in Cotonou. Very soon, the court will determine his case, and he will travel to Germany”, he said
On why Igboho’s case has been delayed, he said “The laws in Benin Republic is different from Nigeria, the court that is presiding over Igboho’s case is investigating the issues against him, the lawyer that was handling his case had earlier went on vacation which delayed his case.
“Investigation is still ongoing, we are working assiduously to ensure his release.”
Igboho through his lawyer stated that he was displeased to hear that the president stated that he was funded by some persons.
He described it as unfounded, and that when he’s released from detention, he will make necessary clarifications. (The Nation)
