An asylum request filed in Benin Republic by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho will reportedly be determined this week.
Punch reported that the bail application for Igboho was deferred by his lawyers because of his medical report and the probable result of his asylum application among others.
Olasupo Ojo, one of Igboho’s lawyers said though there had not been an official statement from Benin Republic government on the asylum request, there is hope that a position will be made known this week.
He said;
“I have not got any official report in relation to that. Yes, we are expecting feedback this week.”
Spokesperson for Ilana Omo Oduduwa, Maxwell Adeleye also disclosed that the organisation is expecting a positive response.
Adeleye told Punch;
“We have submitted an application and we are hoping to get a positive response before the end of the week.”
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Igboho, who expressed hope of the charges against being neutralised if he is granted asylum, also said Igboho was not arrested for possessing a Benin Republic passport as he only had a Nigerian passport with a German residency card.
Salami said;
“When he left Nigeria, he took the backdoor into Benin. It was at the airport that security operatives stopped him that he was on the watchlist. He didn’t go against any law in Benin Republic. They didn’t find any Beninese passport on him. He had a Nigerian passport with a German residency card. He needed no visa at that point.
“When we understudied the case, we realised that the Nigerian government had not filed a case for extradition. They only claimed that he is wanted in Nigeria for criminal offences. Our argument is that he was arrested because of Nigeria’s request, and there is no proof to show that he is a criminal. He spent barely 24 hours in the country and filed an asylum.”
