Over 100 lawyers battle for Igboho’s bail, as activist faces more charges

More than ten top lawyers are currently battling to secure the bail of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, who has been transferred to a new detention facility in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Following Monday’s hearing, Igboho lawyers said the activist’s trial had taken a new twist, noting that new charges had been filed against him.

Ighoho’s lead counsel, Ibrahim Salami, listed the charges against him as illegal migration, dubious connivance with immigration officers and an attempt to cause civil unrest.

According to Salami, Igboho was “deeply pained” when the judge ordered that he should be returned to the cell after the case was adjourned.

He confirmed in an interview that lawyers would file his bail application “shortly.” He alo clarified that the next date for hearing would be fixed after the lawyers had filed the bail application, adding that Igboho’s trial might begin afresh with the new charges.

Salami, a professor of Law, stated, “We are now nine lawyers on this case in Benin Republic, among whom only three of us can speak Yoruba. There is no adjournment date. There are now new charges.

“The lawyers will now go and apply for his bail and get a date for the hearing. We will now defend him against the fresh charges. Also, there is no day for judgement on the old charges.”

Earlier, a source in the Yoruba self-determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua, told journalists that two more lawyers would join Igboho’s legal team, stating, “That will make them 11. The two lawyers are being sponsored by Yoruba in the Diaspora.”

Reacting to the new charges, Salami said, “We were first surprised, because it was like magic. We went to court for a reason and we were confronted with fresh charges after sailing through two stages on the initial allegations.

“It’s surprising that was done. Igboho only passed through Benin Republic, while heading for Germany. He didn’t spend up to a day in Benin. We do not think that is rational. One of the fresh charges against him is a criminal case. It is a big offence. It will require a senior judge to adjudicate. It is a serious crime here in Benin Republic.”

Salami revealed that Igboho suffered “severe injuries” during a raid conducted on his Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State house on Thursday, July 1, 2021, by the Department of State Services.

During the raid, the DSS arrested 13 of his associates, who are currently undergoing trial, killed two, and said Igboho escaped.

Salami stated, “I urge his family and supporters to be patient and prayerful. They should support him with prayers. When they attacked his house in Nigeria, he jumped from the top of a building. His ribs were hurt. He was severely injured.

“In fact, he could not stand before the judge. He sat to address the judge. He needs freedom for medical attention. Those of us that are his lawyers are making a stringent effort.”

Sunday Igboho was born in Igboho, Old Oyo empire, of Oke ogun in Oyo State but his father relocated to Modakeke in Osun state, where he grew up.