In what looks like rallying Yoruba leaders to support embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Igboho Oosa, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly stormed Benin Republic, where Igboho is being tried for immigration-related offences.
Persecondnews recalls that Igboho was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou on July 19, 2021alongside his German wife, Ropo while traveling to Germany.
He has since been detained by the Beninois authorities but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou released the wife after she was acquitted of any allegation.
Igboho had fled to Benin after the Department of State Services (DSS) coordinated a bloody midnight raid of lgboho’s Ibadan home on July 1,2021 leaving two dead while 12 associates of the agitators were arrested and whisked away to Abuja.
The latest move to prevent Igboho’s extradition to Abuja for trial over alleged secession agitation of Yoruba has been launched by Obasanjo.
Sources said Obasanjo in league with some Yoruba monarchs in Benin Republic are pressuring President Patrice Talon and other top government officials to grant asylum to Igboho and not to extradict him.
It was learnt that the former President had travelled to Benin Republic to condole with ex-Benin Pres. Nicephore Soglo who recently lost his wife – Roseline.
“Former President Obasanjo also met with Patrice Talon. The purpose of the meeting was to seek soft-landing for Sunday Igboho.
“He is asking the Beninois authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria,” the source confirmed.
According to reports, the frontline monarchs have already submitted the letter of request for asylum to Talon and other government officials including the Minister of Interior and the country’s Senate President.
Among the signatories are the Alajuwon of Ajuwon land, who is the President of the Council of Obas, alongside the Onikoyi Abesan-an, Alajase of Ajase land, Onimase of Imase land, Oniohorige of Ohori, Onilaase of Ilase land, Onikrake of Kraka land from Seme town near Badagry in Lagos State.
Mr Maxwell Adeleye, the spokesman for Ilana Egbe Omo Od’ua, however, confirmed the latest strategic interventions by the Benin monarchs.
“Yes, the monarchs have been very helpful. We are hopeful that Igboho will be granted asylum this week,” he told newsmen.
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