Buratai meets President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon [PHOTOS]

Nigeria’s Envoy to Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai has met with Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon.

Buratai met with President Talon on Tuesday during the formal presentation of his letter of credence. Also, Germany Ambassador to Benin Republic, Michael Derus; and also those of Ghana, Gabon, and Norway also presented their letters of credence to him.

The meeting of Buratai with Talon took place amidst the scheduled extradition of wanted Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, who was apprehended in Cotonou on 19 July 2021; while attempting to catch a flight to Germany.

A member of Sunday Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had stated that Buratai requested for the activist extradition to the office of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria but Benin Republic disappointed him.

According to a statement, the Beninese Government disclosed that the Head of State granted audience to each of the new envoys and deliberated with them on the revitalisation and strengthening of bilateral collaboration between these different nations and Benin.

President Talon was also stated to have received a brief update on the state of collaboration between Benin, Nigeria and the other nations.

The statement added, “The President of the Republic also took the opportunity to invite the new Ambassadors to work more on consolidating and strengthening the warm relations that already exist between their countries and Benin.”

However, it was not clear if Buratai discussed extradition of Igboho with President Talon.

Sunday Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport around 8pm.

Meanwhile, the Beninese court, on Monday ordered that the activist be remanded in a prison facility in the nation while additional investigations were carried out on the case against him.

The court granted the activist access to medical care while his lawyers keep fighting for his release and oppose his extradition to Nigeria.