Igboho’s freedom pinned on 2023 general elections, defence lawyer explains

Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo Igboho will be staying out the rest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in Benin Republic.

He may equally apply to France for asylum, according to his lawyer Olusegun Falola on August 20, when he leaves Benin prison.

Salami Ibrahim, the law professor in Benin defending the agitator, in July said his client faced prosecution by Benin government, and that was the reason Igboho was imprisoned.

Falola, however, did not explain if a fugitive declared wanted in his home country, and caugh violating a host country’s law, for which he is being prosecuted, can later claim he is seeking asylum.

Igboho left Nigeria while the DSS search for him hot up, and he illegally obtained Beninese identity in order to escape to Germany.

Falola however stated his client detention in Benin is cheating.

“He didn’t commit any criminal offence,’ he said, adding he is under Benin Republic’s protection.

“There are no criminal charges against him. When he leaves prison, he’ll demand asylum from other countries including France, and they will be ready to receive him.”

He said Igboho will return when Buhari leaves office in 2023.

During his Yoruba nation rally, Igboho vowed he would not allow the 2023 general elections to hold in the southwest.

His hope, now, hinges on the next transition.

Nigeria is using all legal and diplomatic means to extradite Igboho accused of stockpiling weapons to destabilize the southwest.