The Yoruba Nation Global Directorate has decried the extradition order being sought by the FG against Chief Sunday Adeyemo (alias Igboho) as violating the provisions of the Extradition Treaty between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin 1984.
In a statement signed by the Directorate Director of YNGD, Princess Adeola Atayero Olamijulo, she said that the matter for which Chief Sunday Adeyemo is being persecuted has to do with right to Self-determination which falls under political opinion or expression for which he could not be extradited upon.
Similarly, a competent federal high court of justice held in Ibadan that Chief Sunday Adeyemo has not acted in any manner illegal or criminal, and that his call for self-determination is a fundamental right as provided for by relevant laws to which Nigeria is an active signatory.
Princess Olamijulo said by Article 4 of the Extradition Treaty between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin 1984, it is clearly stated that extradition shall not be granted for crimes or offences of a political nature or if it is proved that the requisition (demand) for his surrender has been made with a view to trying or punishing him for a crime or offence of a political nature or if the request is to persecute or punish him on account of his race, religion or political opinion.
Further, the treaty states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution, the host country should not release the fugitive.
The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives. It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution the host country should not release the fugitive. The YNGD believe that Chief Adeyemo Igboho cannot get justice in Nigeria.
Again Article 20 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the “four countries are signatories made agitation for self-determination a fundamental right to be protected by all countries. This made Chief Sunday Adeyemo a political offender who cannot be deported and/or extradited by the good people of the Republic of Benin for any reason,”
The arrest of Chief Sunday Adeyemo is shocking, we urged the government of Germany, Benin Republic and the international community “to rise up and curb the impunity of the Nigerian Government by refusing any application for extradition of Chief Adeyemo who already has application before the International Criminal Court duly acknowledged”.
The Nigerian secret police had raided Chief Sunday Adeyemo’s (Alias Igboho) Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021, arrested about 12 of his aides and killed two of them in a gun duel. The corpses of the deceased are yet to be released by the DSS to their relatives.
The Federal Government of Nigeria had placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) from leaving the country.
We have it on good authority that Benin Republic found no illegality against Chief Sunday Adeyemo but the Judge and the Minister of Justice charged with the responsibility for his release have been evasive.
We call on the international community to prevail on the government of Benin Republic not to succumb to the political blackmail and bravado of the General Muhammadu Buhari administration in Nigeria.
Dated this 23rd November 2021
Princess Adeola Atayero Olamijulo
Directorate Director
Yoruba Nation Global Directorate
