Maxwell Adeleye, communications manager of Ilana Omo Oodua, says Nigeria did not file any charge against Sunday Igboho when he was arraigned at Cour De’appal De Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Thursday.
Igboho was arraigned at the court after his arrest at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou on Monday night. He was arrested with his wife on their way to Germany.
Adeleye said Igboho lawyers told Ilana Omo Oodua after yesterday’s hearing that the court said Nigeria and Benin Republic have no extradition agreement, while also ruling out possibility of Igboho being handed to Nigerian government.
A statement signed by Adeleye on behalf of Ilana Omo Oodua noted that Ropo, Igboho’s wife, was released by the court because she had no case to answer.
The statement said: “Yesterday, the court set lgboho’s wife free since it has been found that she has committed no offence and there’s no complain whatsoever against her. Consequently, her German passport was returned to her.
“The Lawyers handling the case reported after the proceedings that Sunday lgboho cannot be extradited to Nigeria for two principal reasons: That contrary to insinuations, Nigeria and Benin have no Extradition Agreement.
“That Nigeria has not been able to come up with charges that could lead the court to order lgboho’s extradition to Nigeria. What Nigerian government came up with were mere allegations against Ighoho such as trafficking in arms and inciting violence that could result in the social disturbance without evidence which the government of Benin Republic considered spurious and untenable, and insufficient to warrant extradition.
“Lastly, the case has been adjourned till Monday July 26, to allow the Nigerian government bring up whatever evidence they may have, and Mr. lgboho has been taken back to the police custody.”
Igboho was declared wanted by the Department of State Services earlier in July after his Ibadan house was raided by operatives of the DSS.
Two people were killed by the DSS in the late night raid while 12 other persons were arrested and later paraded in Abuja. They have since been charged to court.
Source: The Cable
