Embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, may be deported to Nigeria to face trial for stockpiling of arms.
Naija News reports that the Benin Republic government was ready to allow Igboho to be extradited to Nigeria because it was not ready to engage in a diplomatic crisis with Nigeria.
A source who works with Benin’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), stated that charges against Igboho were punishable by deportation, fines, or imprisonment.
“Our intelligence gathering showed that it is unhealthy to jail Igboho here (Benin Republic).”
“Yes, he was detained for fresh charges. While he was initially in the Brigade Criminelle facility, he made useful confessions. His lawyers also know that he is guilty of irregular migration,” the source told The PUNCH.
Another official who also spoke to the Punch, “The least punishment Igboho can be given is to be deported to the country he came from (Nigeria) if found guilty. The Nigerian authorities can take over from there if they wish.”
Reacting to the intended deportation of his client, the Coordinating counsel for Igboho, Olasupo Ojo, warned that the deportation plan is against international law.
“It is illegal under international law to send back somebody who escaped to save his life. You cannot send him to a country where there is ample evidence that his life is at stake, endangered. It will bounce back heavily on Benin Republic if they do that,” he said.
Also speaking, a Nigerian-based counsel for Igboho, Pelumi Olajengbesi, assured that the plan to extradite Igboho would fail.
He said: “I am aware that the Federal Government through the former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai is making effort to get him deported. We can say that clearly.
“So far, the facts available before the court have nothing to do with the Nigerian government.
“We have nothing to worry about because the Benin Republic government has shown that it will operate within the precinct of the law. For us, we believe that Igboho is a criminal of conscience who has taken an effort to liberate his people.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News