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Tag: Igboho

  • Stop Yoruba Nation agitation now – Igboho

    Stop Yoruba Nation agitation now – Igboho

    Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho has called on his followers to halt any agitation for now.

    He spoke through his lawyer, Yomi Aliyu.

    According to Aliyu, in a statement, Igboho asked his supporters to ignore any message to the contrary.

    He said there was time for everything and that Igboho Oosa, is desirous of respecting those murdered in his house on that black July 1, 2021.

    “In that wise, he has advised against staging any demonstration or rally in his name for the time being. He will also like people to respect his family by not calling his mum out for anything public.

  • DSS releases two more Igboho’s aides

    DSS releases two more Igboho’s aides

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has released two more aides of self-professed Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho.

    The DSS had on August 30 released eight out of 12 pro-Yoruba Nation agitators arrested during its July 1 invasion of Igboho’s home in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    However, four others – Tajudeen Irinloye, Uthman Adelabu, Amudat Babatunde, and Jamiu Oyetunji – were kept in detention by the secret police.

    The detainees’ lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who confirmed the development to journalists on Friday, was, however, silent on the identities of those released by the DSS.

    The 12 Yoruba Nation agitators were arraigned by the DSS at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly colluding with Igboho to stockpile arms and other dangerous weapons in a bid to wreak havoc on some communities in the South-West.

    Justice Obiorah Egwuatu granted the defendants bail on August 4.

  • Soyinka speaks on Igboho’s detention in Cotonou, NBC’s query to Channels Television

    Soyinka speaks on Igboho’s detention in Cotonou, NBC’s query to Channels Television

    Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on the government of the Republic of Benin to release Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to continue his journey.

    The playwright spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Friday.

    Speaking during the interactive session titled, “Sanctions on the loose: Chasing the gnat with a sledgehammer,” Soyinka said Igboho’s offence was resisting tyranny of herdsmen against his people in Oyo State.

    His words: “I refuse to believe that Igboho committed any offence except agitating against tyranny on his people. He peacefully demonstrated his position. I can’t consider that to be decided a criminal. Agitating for secession is not a criminal act as long as it’s done peacefully. You don’t have to criminalise that.

    “What the government and the security did by raiding Igboho’s house in the middle of the night, killing two of his own people and claiming, without a warrant or anything, that they found weapons… who’s going to believe that cock and bull story?”

    He also queried the government of Benin Republic on why they are keeping Igboho. He said: “Why are you keeping this victim? What offence did he commit against your state that you’re holding him, instead of letting him continue his journey? He has not committed any offence against any known law in this country.

    “Declaring an independent state is not out of our constitution. Since he’s doing it peacefully and collectively within the law, you do not criminalise that action.”

    On NBC’s query to Channels TV he said, “who decides media professionalism? It is one of outstanding semi-illiterate official queries that I have ever seen. And I wish to exalt the media that they have their official bodies with symbolic gestures. I think we have the responsibility to tell the government that if any media institution is sanctioned on this kind of trivial, absolute ground, we will fulfill our responsibility by mobilising the nation to boycott all government media and we shall wage the media war against the government.”

    “Decree no 4 has no place in a democracy and it is high time we manifested that, both in language and in act.

    “The president seems deaf about the agitations and plights of Nigerians. What I suggest is that youths, and citizens especially, should take the situations into their hands by using any of the civil actions to ensure the government listens to them and correct the problems in Nigeria.”

  • Court says judge available to release Igboho’s aides

    Court says judge available to release Igboho’s aides

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, says there is a judge on ground to sign the warrant of release of Sunday Igboho’s aides who were admitted to bail recently by the court.

    Chief Registrar of the court, Mr Emmanuel Gakko, gave the clarification in a statement on Wednesday.

    Gakko said that Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who admitted the 12 detaineess to bail early in August did not disappear as reported by some media publications.

    The chief registrar said that contrary to the claim by the media, Justice Egwuatu did not disappear but rather traveled on a national assignment outside the country.

    He stated that although the court is on vacation, there are judges on ground, including Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the other vacation judge.

    He said that the lawyer to the detainees ought to have met with the registrar of the court, who would have told him what to do.

    He stressed that there was no reason why a judge, after granting bail to a defendant, would disappear and not be available to endorse it.

    He enjoined the media never to hesitate to approach the court to seek clarification on issues concerning the court.

    The 12 detained aides were arrested on July 1, following a raid on the residence of Igboho, leader of the Yoruba Nation agitators, in Ibadan and were detained at the facility of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    They were, however, admitted to bail by the court following the granting of an application for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

    Eight of the detainees were granted bail in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties in like sum, while the remaining four were admitted to bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum.

    Their counsel, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, however, claimed that after the perfection of their bail conditions, they had gone to the court for endorsement of the release warrant but were told that the judge had traveled out of the country.

  • Sunday Igboho won’t return to Nigeria, his life is under threat- Lawyer

    Sunday Igboho won’t return to Nigeria, his life is under threat- Lawyer

    Olusegun Falola, one of the lawyers of embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, has said his client might not return back to Nigeria in a long time when he regains freedom from Benin Republic.

    Falola explained it would be a dangerous decision for Igboho to return when he is free from Benin Republic because his life is under threat in Nigeria.

    He stated this in an interview with feelrightnewsTV.

    His words: “When I arrived from Paris at the custody where Igboho was detained, he was first chained. They were scared that he could just disappear into the thin air because of his mystical powers.

    “The police told me that if Igboho’s chains were untied and he escapes mysteriously, he (police officer) will be stripped of his rank and also dismissed.

    “The police officer said he was told that Igboho could disappear or turn into a cat, and many other things were said to the police officers which made them tie him.”

    He noted it took his timely intervention for the officers to unchain him and allow him (Igboho) walk freely, explaining Igboho did not commit any offence but he is just a human rights activist.

    Giving an update on Igboho’s case, Falola assured he is safe in the Benin Republic.

    He said: “The case will make revelations as to which government is powerful in Africa, our government may not be wealthy, and not much in population as compared to Nigeria but there is a signed treaty that must be respected.

    “Igboho cannot be left to return back to Nigeria for now because of the destruction of his properties that was witnessed, they are not looking for Sunday Igboho alone but planning to kill him.

    “They are looking for how to kill him and that’s very dangerous to allow him return back to Nigeria. So he is being kept safe in custody.”

    Although the investigation is still ongoing, Falola explained he is monitoring the developments going on in Nigeria before any application for Igboho’s freedom in court can be made.

    He added that if Igboho is released, He may proceed to Germany to see his children and family.

    “This case has become a global one with many watching the developments, all Yorubas especially in Diaspora, monarchs, traditionalists, others are keenly following the case,” Falola stated.

  • CAN urges FG to dialogue with Kanu, Igboho; condemns incessant killings

    CAN urges FG to dialogue with Kanu, Igboho; condemns incessant killings

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed dismay over the incessant killings of many innocent Nigerians, occasioned by the attacks of Fulani herdsmen and unknown gunmen in various parts of the country.

    This was contained in a communique of the association after its state executive meeting, yesterday, at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Onitsha Anambra State.

    According to the communique signed by its State Chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke CAN urge security operatives to step up efforts to tame the tide “to bring to an end to the monumental loss of innocent lives.”

    On the issue of agitations by the Igbos and Yorubas, CAN called on the Federal Government to give a fair hearing to the different agitators for self-determination including Nnamdi Kalu and Sunday Igboho. He insisted that dialogue was the best approach towards unity and justice.

    CAN frown at the activities of the security agents who it said always mounted roadblocks extorting money with intimidation of the populace. He appealed to the Federal Government to look into the situation for a better society.

    The association also congratulated Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali of the Ebonyi State branch on his emergence as the new South-East Zonal chairman of the CAN.

    It used the opportunity to praise Governor Willie Obiano “for his great strides in the development of Anambra State especially with the execution of Anambra International Cargo Airport project.”

    On the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, CAN urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns in a way that would show the world that Anambra State is a Christian State.

    CAN urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs during the campaigns and called on eligible voters to ensure that they obtained their voters’ cards.

    On the state of the economy, CAN drew the attention of the Federal Government to the economic crunches that had continued to bite hard on Nigerians and called for a lasting solution to reduce the hardship.

  • DSS returns to court, seeks reversal of bail granted Igboho’s aides

    DSS returns to court, seeks reversal of bail granted Igboho’s aides

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has returned to a Federal High Court in Abuja with a request to reverse the bail it granted 12 detained associates of Yoruba nation advocate, Sunday Igboho.

    In an application filed on Monday by its lawyer, Idowu Awo, the DSS is limiting its request to four of the 12.

    They are Amudat Babatunde (aka Lady K), Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Oyetunji, and Bamidele Sunday.

    The DSS wants the court to allow it hold on to the four, whose bail application it had opposed, “pending their arraignment during court vacation.”

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu had, in a ruling on August 4, granted bail to eight of them, whose bail application was not challenged by the DSS, at N5million each.

    The judge then granted bail at N10million each, for the other four, whose application was challenged by the DSS.

    They are Babatunde, Tajudeen, Shittu and Oyetunji, who Awo claimed needed to be further investigated in relation to allegation of arms stockpile by Igboho.

    Those who got N5m bail are; Abdulateef Onaolapo, Tajudeen Erinoye, Diekola Jubril, Ayobami Donald, Uthman Adelabu, Oluwafemi Kunle, Raji Kazeem and Bamidele Sunday.

    The judge ordered each of the detainees to produce two sureties, one of whom must be an employee of the Federal Government from Grade Level 12 above.

    According to the judge, the sureties must be resident in Abuja, must have landed property must and must swear to an affidavit of means, in addition to providing evidence of three years tax payment.

    The judge also ordered that the title documents of the said property must be verified by the court’s Registrar and the DSS.

    Justice Egwuatu added that the four, granted N10m bail, are to report to the DSS on the first Monday of every month for the next three months.

    The judge said they should remain in the custody of the DSS until they are able to meet the bail conditions.

    It could not be confirmed on Monday if the 12 have been able to perfect the bail granted them.

    Their lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi on Friday that his clients would meet the bail conditions on Monday (yesterday).

    “We had thought that, by the judge’s pronouncement in the open court, we were required to produce only four sureties.

    “But when we sought clarification later, we were told we need to produce two sureties for each of them.

    “So, we are working to get 24 people in all. We do not intend to return to the court to ask for a variation.

    “There are many people who are willing to support and who believe in the cause they are fighting. So, we are working to ensure they are out by Monday,” he said.

  • ‘Igboho returning to Nigeria soon’

    ‘Igboho returning to Nigeria soon’

    The leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, has disclosed that the body, other groups are working hard to secure the release of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, who is on trial in Benin Republic.

    Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

    He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered the release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

    Akintoye explained he is Benin Republic to coordinate and supervise how to legally rescue the embattled agitator, from government remand as soon as possible.

    He stated that Igboho committed no offense against the Nigeria laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed and he’ll return back to Nigeria as soon as Ighoho is released by the government of Benin Republic to continue the struggle for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation.

    “Myself, the President-General and Professor Wale Adeniran (Chairman) of Ilana Omo Oodua, are currently in the Republic of Benin as reported, but not on the run.

    “We are here to supervise and coordinate, by all legal and and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, detained by the Government from custody.

    “By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, i am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognized by the International and Nigerian laws to be an inalienable right of every Nationality, large or small, in the world.

    “I have earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable advocate of a peaceful self-determination struggle. I have even written a book on the subject which is already being used as a manual by Yoruba self-determination advocates and organizations.

    “Irrespective of what the Nigerian Government may be planning against me, I want to say without any fear or intimidation that I will be returning to Nigeria immediately Ighoho is released from the custody. I can’t be intimidated because I’ve not committed any offense, just like Sunday Igboho.

    “Let me tell all Yoruba People across the world that there’s no cause for alarm. I didn’t flee to anywhere. I am in Benin Republic running your errands. The struggle is no retreat, no surrender.”

    Akintoye also debunked the media reports that Igboho has been abandoned, and that the embattled agitator is personally funding the court cases against the governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic respectively to secure his (Igboho) and his aides’ release.

  • High hopes for Igboho as Obasanjo, Yoruba monarchs mount pressure on Benin Republic for asylum

    High hopes for Igboho as Obasanjo, Yoruba monarchs mount pressure on Benin Republic for asylum

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some Yoruba-speaking monarchs in Benin Republic have mounted pressure on President Patrice Talon and other top government officials to grant asylum to embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

    He was arrested with his wife, Ropo but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

    As part of efforts to rescue the embattled agitator, Obasanjo, according to reports by The Cable was in Benin Republic in the first week of August, 2021.

    He was said to have travelled to Benin Republic to condole with Nicephore Soglo who recently lost his wife – Roseline Soglo.

    It was gathered the former Beninise president and Obasanjo have maintained a long-standing relationship over the years.

    TheCable’s source said “He also met with Patrice Talon. The purpose of the meeting was to seek soft-landing for Sunday Igboho.

    “He’s asking the Beninise authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria.”

    Also, some Yoruba-speaking monarchs in Benin Republic have mounted pressure on the government to grant asylum to Igboho

    TNG gathered that the monarchs have submitted the letter to Talon and some other top government officials including the Minister of Interior and the Senate President.

    The letter was signed by the Alajuwon of Ajuwon land, who is the President of the Council of Obas, alongside 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.

    Spokesperson for Ilana Egbe Omo Odua, confirmed the strategic interventions by the monarchs.

    He said: “Yes, the monarchs have been very helpful. We are hopeful that Igboho will be granted asylum this week.”

  • BREAKING: Court grants Sunday Igboho’s aides bail after 32 days in DSS custody

    BREAKING: Court grants Sunday Igboho’s aides bail after 32 days in DSS custody

    After spending 32 days in the detention facility of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, a Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted bail to the 12 detained aides of Yoruba secessionist leader, Chief Sunday Igboho in line with their demand.

    The detainees were admitted to bail by Justice Obiora Egwuatu in a ruling just delivered on their bail applications, filed and argued on their behalf by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi.

    The judge ignored the fears and apprehension expressed by DSS lawyer, Mr Idowu Awo, that some of the detainees will flee the country as their leader, Sunday Igboho, has done if granted bail.

    Justice Egwuatu said that the detainees are entitled to bail by the provisions of the Nigerian law having been held in custody beyond the time stipulated by law.

    The judge said that the law even scowled at a situation where citizens’ freedom is trampled on under unlawful circumstances.

    The defendants were granted bail on various conditions and will remain in the DSS detention until their bail conditions are perfected.

    …More details shortly