The government of the Republic of Benin has laid fresh charges against the detained Yoruba nation agitator, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
According to his lawyers, the new charges border on entering Benin Republic improperly and with intent to cause trouble in the country.
Igboho and his wife, Ropo Adeyemo were arrested penultimate Monday in Cotonou, at the airport on their way to Germany.
It was initially believed that the Nigerian government laid charges for extradition against the activist, but his lawyers now insist that that is not the case.
However, after Monday’s proceedings, which started late in the evening and held behind closed-doors, the judges ordered his remand in prison custody, pending the conclusion of investigations on how he got into Benin Republic.
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Sunday Igboho, told BBC Yoruba that the authorities there were concerned with how Igboho got into their country as well as those who assisted him.
“I was shocked when Sunday Igboho was sent to Benin Prison yesterday. When we started this case last week, the Prosecutor told us it was the Nigerian Government he had a case with but yesterday, we realised that the Nigerian Government didn’t even file any case against Igboho.
“The case he has, as the Judges told us, is with the Benin Republic Government”, the lawyer said while on a BBC Yoruba programme.
The lawyer explained that the government of Benin Republic claimed Igboho entered their country improperly with the aim of committing a heinous crime against the country.
He added that Igboho was also asked to mention those who accommodated him and drove him to the Airport.
According to him, Igboho in his response maintained that he committed no crime but only ran for his life in Nigeria.
“The Judges weren’t convinced, he said Igboho should be transferred to Prison until all those involved in his activities in Benin Republic are apprehended,” his lawyer said.
