Emerging report reveals that the government of Benin Republic has rejected the request by the President Muhammadu Buhari Federal Government to quickly extradite Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, through the back door, to Nigeria, to face criminal trial.
It was further gathered that the Federal Government planned to extradite the Activist on Wednesday, to the Headquarters of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, in Abuja, but the government of Benin Republic insisted on following due process.
A source said: “The Nigerian Government planned to extradite him on Wednesday, but our government said the rule of law must be followed as the world is watching us.”
Reacting, one of Igboho’s Lawyers, Pelumi Olajengbesi, commended Benin Republic for showing that it respects the rule of law, and due process.
The Lawyer noted that despite pressure from the President Buhari government, Benin Officials insisted on following due process, including a repatriation hearing to determine whether or not Igboho is guilty of the charges leveled against him by the DSS.
He stated: “The disposition of Benin Republic is that it is a country that respects the rule of law. We are making efforts that he is not repatriated wrongly to Nigeria.
“We are ensuring that everything is done in accordance with the law, and we are very hopeful that we would succeed, because we expect that there should be a repatriation hearing before they can extradite him, if at all they would do that.”
A source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said: “The Nigerian Government has made attempts to get him (Igboho), but Benin Republic did not release him. The Beninise Government has not released him, because the latter has not even identified him as a Nigerian. The only instrument they can use to identify him as a Nigerian is the passport, but that is not what was found with him.
“The Nigerian Government is still quiet two days after the arrest, because it does not have control over the situation. There is a procedure that the law establishes, including a repatriation hearing to determine whether the person in question has committed the offence, and why he or she should be repatriated or not.”
Meanwhile, Igboho’s Spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, in a live update early on Thursday morning, revealed that his principal’s hearing will hold today.
“I can confirm, he will have the opportunity to be heard at the Benin Republic court, they respect International Law. It will be held today (Thursday) by God’s grace.
“The sitting will be held at 10am, in the morning, at the Benin Republic court.
“The court will determine the fate of the extradition, and we will also have the opportunity to present our case, especially on the personality of Igboho.
“We know the magnitude of what the Nigerian Government is trying to do, if they try to get hold of Igboho, but they will fail, by God’s grace
“Their intention was to capture him (Igboho), but God fought for him.”