The Republic of Benin has resisted Nigeria’s attempts to hastily extradite the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, to the Department of State Services headquarters in Abuja.
The Federal Government planned to extradite the activist on Wednesday (yesterday), but the Benin Republic insisted that it would not be part of any process that was against due process.
A security source in the West African country said, “The Nigerian government planned to extradite him on Wednesday, but our government said the rule of law must be followed as the world is watching us.”
One of the lawyers of Igboho, Pelumi Olajengbesi said the Benin Republic had shown itself to be a country that respects the rule of law and due process. The lawyer said Igboho’s legal team in the Benin Republic were in talks with the Beninese government.
He noted that despite pressure from the Nigerian government, the government of Benin had insisted on following due process including a repatriation hearing to determine whether or not Igboho was guilty as accused by the Nigerian secret police.