The legal team of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, is awaiting an official medical report, among other documents, to file a bail application on his behalf, The PUNCH has reliably gathered.
One of the 11 lawyers expected to represent Igboho said members of the legal team had resolved to put up a strong bail application that would not be rejected by the court.
The lawyer, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said, “Preliminary reports that we are getting from the medical team show that Igboho needs medical attention. They said he appears strong physically, but his state of health is not getting better. He was limping during Monday’s proceeding.
“We are awaiting an official report. That is part of what we will be presenting for his bail application.”
Igboho and his wife were arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, on their way to Germany. His wife was later released, while Igboho has been in detention since.
He was declared wanted by Nigeria’s Department of State Services when he fled during a raid on his Ibadan residence on July 1 and was put on the Interpol’s watch list.
When contacted, the coordinating counsel for the Yoruba Nation agitator, Olasupo Ojo, said lawyers were considering different options on the Igboho matter.
He, however, refused to give a definite date for the submission of the bail application for the activist, who is facing fresh charges.
Ojo told The PUNCH, “The initial allegations are dead. We have achieved the purpose that we set out to achieve in the first place – to stop the illegal extradition of Sunday Igboho.
“We have different options that we are considering apart from applying for bail. I cannot disclose those options now.
“He is alright. The medical doctors have seen him. His wife is also taking food to him. His right as a detainee is being respected. His lawyers also have access to him. We have no problems.”
On Igboho’s state of health, the lawyer said, “He has no complaint now. He is being taken care of.”
Benin Republic monarchs write President
Meanwhile, Yoruba monarchs in Benin Republic, on Monday, submitted a letter to the President of the country, Patrice Talon, over Igboho’s detention.
The monarchs’ letter was submitted to the President after his meeting with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.), who also presented his letter of credence.
The letter was jointly signed by the Onikoyi Abesan-an, Alajase of Ajase land, Onimase of Imase land, Oniohorige of Ohori, Onnilaase of Ilase land, Onikrake of Kraka land from Seme town, and Alajuwon of Ajuwon land, who is the President of the Council of Obas.
It was learnt that a copy of the letter was submitted to the country’s Minister of Interior and the Senate President.
The monarchs were said to have told President Talon not to take sides with Nigeria.
It was also learnt that the monarchs urged him “not to allow the country to be used by Nigeria to score political points.”
The spokesman for the Aare Onakankafo of Yorubaland, Kehinde Aderemi, said his boss, Gani Adams, had been informed of the Benin Republic monarchs’ action.
Aderemi stated, “Yes, they called him (Adams) this morning to give an update. He commended their actions.
“Also, delegations of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who were in Benin Republic on Monday to observe the court proceedings, have given feedbacks to their masters.”
“Yes, the Ooni was given the feedback almost immediately, but no further action has been taken,” one of his aides said.
S’West govs under bondage, afraid to speak out – Lawyer
Igboho’s coordinating counsel, Ojo, during a PUNCH Online programme, Roundtable, said some governors in South-West were scared to make their positions known on Igboho’s arrest and detention.
He also cautioned the governors against opposing Yoruba Nation, saying those of them who failed to support self-determination would regret their action.
While faulting the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s (retd.) regime for attacking Igboho, he explained that the Nigerian government could not sanction the Benin Republic if Igboho was released.
He said, “I should commend Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for saying something. Many of the governors don’t know the value of the position they are holding. When people are clamouring and you pretend as if you don’t know, then something is wrong. A governor, who deafens his ears to the clamour of his people, will have himself to blame.
“They have not come out openly; they have their fears. They are under bondage. I pity the governors. They are in chains. “
He lamented that Buhari supported the self-determination of Palestine, but ordered the arrest of Yoruba Nation agitators.
The lawyer said, “Incidentally, it is on record that General Buhari also clamoured for self-determination of the northern people in the past. It is also on record that he is advocating self-determination of Palestine. He is not opposed to those, but when it comes to the Yoruba Nation, you say unity is non-negotiable. Is it everything that is non-negotiable in life? You cannot force two people to remain together.”
Igboho aides’ bail application for hearing today
The Federal High Court Abuja is to preside over the application brought before it by 12 detained associates of the Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, today (Thursday).
However, there is uncertainty on whether or not the Department of State Services will produce them as ordered.
At the last adjourned date, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ordered the DSS to produce the detained associates of Igboho in court.
Justice Egwuatu had also ordered the DSS to show cause why the detainees should not be admitted to bail.
The detainees had instituted a suit against the DSS and its Director-General, Yusuf Bichi.
At the last adjourned date, the applicants’ counsel, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had moved his ex parte motion praying the court for an order “mandating and compelling the respondents to produce the applicants” to enable the court “inquire into the circumstances constituting grounds of their arrest and detention” since July 1, 2021.
Credit: the Punch
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