Many supporters of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, gathered in their large numbers at the premises of Cour D’Appel De Cotonou, Benin Republic on Monday to witness the trial of the activist for possible extradition charges.
This is despite earlier warnings that Benin Republic courts are not used to large crowds during sittings.
Some of the supporters had arrived in Benin Republic on Sunday with a Yoruba group offering free accommodation.
Newsmen gathered that the Federal Government would be presenting extradition charges against the Yoruba rights activist today.
According to reports, the Nigerian government would possibly be presenting a piece of video evidence.
On what Igboho is to be tried for today, Communications Manager, Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye, said, “We reiterate that Chief Ighoho is not under any immigration-related probe in Benin Republic.
“Chief Sunday Adeyemo will appear in court this morning in Benin Republic to face the likely extradition charges to be brought against him by the Nigerian Government.”
Ibrahim Salami, one of the Cotonou, Benin Republic-based lawyers of Sunday Igboho had said on Saturday said that extradition charges were been expected from the Nigerian government.
The counsel insisted that only a Nigerian passport was found on the Yoruba rights activist, adding that he was not being tried for possessing a fake passport.
Following the bloody raid on his Sooka residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Department of State Services had earlier claimed local and international driving licences in his name. ATM cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name, and a passport were allegedly recovered.
The lawyer had 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.”
