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Igboho Can’t Leave Benin Republic Despite Release – Lawyer

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The Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has described the release of Chief Sunday Igboho from detention in the Benin Republic as personal liberty and victory for those who believe in personal liberty and the right of the people to self-determination

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, said this when contacted for his reaction to the development on Monday.

He said, “Afenifere and indeed Yoruba people as a whole are very happy that the Yoruba Nation agitator has been released.

“Sunday Adeyemo Igboho’s release is not just for him and the Yoruba people. It is a victory indicator for all those who believe in personal liberty and the right of a given people to self-determination.

“Afenifere commends Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Tunde Adeniran, Ilana Omo Oodua, and Yoruba Obas in Nigeria and in the Benin Republic for their efforts in seeing that Igboho is set free.”

The group also commended the team of lawyers handling his cases in Nigeria and Benin.

However, Igboho will not leave Cotonou, Benin Republic, despite his release from detention in the country.

His counsel, Chief Yomi Aliyyu (SAN), said this in a message sent to one of our correspondents on Monday.

Aliyyu said Igboho was released to his medical doctors with the agreement that he would not leave Cotonou for any reason.

He said, “I am to inform you that Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho Rosa, has been released from prison to his medical practitioners under the agreement that he should not leave the medical center or Cotonou for any reason.

“Praises should be given to two prominent Yoruba personalities to wit; Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof (Banji) Akintoye, for this turnaround in our client’s matter.”

It was gathered that the 49-year-old activist might not return to Nigeria till May 2023 after the expiration of the regime of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

He was freed on medical grounds after months of diplomatic meetings with the government of President Patrice Talon by Yoruba monarchs and others at home and in the Diaspora.

In a statement on Monday by Akintoye’s spokesman, Maxwell Adeleye said Igboho was released by the Benin Republic government on Monday and handed over to the emeritus professor and his deputy, Wale Adeniran.

Akintoye, who had earlier said he relocated to the Benin Republic to secure Igboho’s freedom, described the release of the activist as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland.

The statement by Akintoye’s camp was titled, ‘Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho, released to Yoruba leader, Banji Akintoye and French Language expert, Adeniran, by the Benin Republic Government’.

It read in part, “The Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of the Republic of Benin.

“The activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba leader and leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Banji Akintoye, and a French Language expert/Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Wale Adeniran.

“In a statement by the Communications Secretary of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland.”

Adeleye, however, said Igboho would remain in Cotonou till further notice.

When asked if Igboho would continue his trip to Germany, Adeleye stated, “He (Igboho) is remaining in Cotonou. He was freed on medical grounds as no case was preferred against him. Asides, he had been detained for more than six months, which is contrary to the law.”

The Department of State Services had raided Igboho’s Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021, killed two of his aides, and arrested 12 others, who were later released after spending months in detention at the secret police’s headquarters in Abuja.

Declared wanted by the DSS for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilize Nigeria, an allegation he denied, Igboho escaped to the neighboring Benin Republic in July 2021

However, luck ran out on him when he was arrested by Interpol around 8 pm on July 19, 2021, at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, when he tried to board a Germany-bound aircraft alongside his wife, Ropo.

He was remanded in a prison in Cotonou and is facing trial for immigration-related offenses, among others.

BIG STORY

Stella Visited Vatican City To Secure My Release From Prison — Former President Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared the significant role his late wife, Stella Obasanjo, played in securing his release from prison.

In 1995, Obasanjo was arrested and convicted by the military regime of the late Sani Abacha for his alleged involvement in a planned coup.

After four years of detention, Obasanjo was released in 1998 by Abdulsalami Abubakar, following Abacha’s death.

During his imprisonment, Stella was a strong advocate, relentlessly demanding her husband’s release.

She tragically passed away on October 23, 2005, during a liposuction surgery.

Speaking on Friday at the inauguration of the 250-bed Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, the Edo state capital, the former president recounted how his late wife traveled to the Vatican City and other parts of the world to secure his freedom.

“My late wife went everywhere to ensure that I came out of prison alive. She was in Vatican City, France, and other parts of the world,” Obasanjo said.

“We were planning for her 68th birthday anniversary but never had it before she died. It was very painful for me in particular and for all of us in my family.

“So you can appreciate how thankful I am to you for doing this in her honour.”

He expressed gratitude to the Edo state government for recognizing his late wife, “who made tremendous contributions to my achievements in public life.”

Obasanjo also praised Governor Godwin Obaseki for “starting and finishing well.”

“I have worked in the past with the likes of John Oyegun; he was a fantastic permanent secretary. I reminded him recently of some of the things that he practised on me and the ones I practised on him,” Obasanjo added.

“With this hospital, you’re assured of first-class treatment for any ailment. More grace to the elbows of the governor. With this kind of edifice, I can say that the governor started well and is finishing well.”

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BIG STORY

Court Remands Woman For Allegedly Stabbing Husband To Death In Ibadan

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An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered the remand of a housewife, Olajumoke Olalere, 33, at Agodi Correctional facility, Ibadan, for allegedly stabbing her husband to death.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered her remand pending the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the case until March 5, 2025 for mention.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the police charged Olalere with a count of murder.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had told the court that the defendant on October 30, at 9.00 p.m. allegedly caused the death of her 39-year-old husband, Oluwasegun Tinubu.

Akinloye said the defendant allegedly stabbed her husband with a knife during a disagreement at their house, at Zone 5, Gbelu, Iyana – Agbala, Ibadan.

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: EFCC Grants Former Delta Governor Okowa Bail Over Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

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The Port Harcourt zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State, over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

Okowa was arrested on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after reporting to the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC at the invitation of investigators handling his case.

Sources confirmed that the former governor left the EFCC facility around 9 pm on Wednesday night.

A source under anonymity stated: “He left the facility at about 9 pm yesterday (Wednesday).”

“Okowa is expected to return soon to provide documents and answer more questions before the matter will be charged to court.”

The former governor is accused of failing to account for the 13% derivation funds, as well as an additional N40 billion, which he allegedly claimed to have used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Specifically, Okowa is said to have purchased N40 billion worth of shares in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake in the offshore LNG venture.

The funds are also alleged to have been diverted for other purposes, including acquiring properties in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

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