Igboho: FG, Beninese lawyers battle over extradition in court

 Beninese lawyers were, yesterday, locked in a legal tussle over attempt by the Federal Government to get Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Igboho, extradited to Nigeria.

Igboho’s lawyers  insisted that since he (Igboho) did not commit any offence against Benin Republic, he should be set free, arguing that any attempt to send him back to Nigeria will endanger his life, considering invasion of his house in Ibadan by the  Department of State Service, DSS, operatives last month.

Prior to the start of proceedings at the Cour D’appel De Cotonou in Benin Republic yesterday, journalists and a good number of his supporters were barred from witnessing the proceedings.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian government is pressing Beninese authorities to extradite Ighoho to Nigeria. Recall also that Igboho and his wife were arrested at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, while on their way to Germany last Monday.

But his wife, Ropo, was released last weekend and her passport handed over to her.

Earlier, yesterday, the police in Cotonou dispersed Igboho’s supporters who had travelled there to witness his trial.

The security personnel, Vanguard learned, arrived the court premises in two Hilux vans, insisting that everyone, including journalists, vacate the premises.

One of the police officers told journalists that the president of the court called and ordered that they should force everyone out of the court, except lawyers.

All the officers wore black masks and wielded heavy guns as they ejected supporters and journalists out of the court premises.

Igboho was said to have been brought into the court as early as 7a.m., but was reportedly ushered into the prosecutor’s chambers, thus depriving the public the opportunity of seeing him.

Journalists not allowed into courtroom

Following the trial, journalists, monarchs, and supporters who came to the court for the case were barred from witnessing the hearing. A source at the court premises in Cotonou told Vanguard:  “The press was not allowed into court room.”

But more Yoruba leaders and monarchs, yesterday, threw their weight behind Yoruba activist, as the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, rallied 10 prominent Benin Republic monarchs.