Developing Story: Igboho may appear in court today for extradition hearing

21 Jul Developing Story: Igboho may appear in court today for extradition hearing

The legal representative of Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) Chief Yomi Alliyu has said that he would be taken to a court in Cotonou, the capital of the Republic of Benin today for extradition hearing.

But he insisted that the extradition order being sought by the Nigerian authorities may not likely sail through, given the status of Igboho as a political offender.

“The Nigerian authorities and security operatives that arrested him would be approaching the court for an extradition order to bring Sunday Igboho back to Nigeria.

“But it is not likely that the extradition order being sought for would sail through. This is because of the status of our client as a political offender who enjoys immunity against extradition. Like I said in a press release earlier today, even his arrest by security operatives was against the political nature of his offence.

“There is an existing ex- tradition treaty between four West African countries of Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, which grants Igboho immunity from being extradited from the Republic of Benin.

“The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives. It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/ or undue delay in prosecution, the host country should not release the fugitive.

“Article 20 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the four countries are signatories made agitation for self-determination a fundamental right to be protected by all countries,” he said.

In an earlier statement on Tuesday he alleged that his client was being dehumanized. Alliyu alleged that his client is facing inhuman treatment, as his legs and hands are allegedly tied like an animal in police custody in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

Also yesterday, Wale Adeniran, one of the leaders of Ilana Omo Odua, a body of Yoruba self-determination groups that Mr Adeyemo partners with, said he was still being held by the authorities in Cotonou, Benin Republic.