IGBOHO’S LIFE MAY BE IN DANGER IF BROUGHT BACK TO NIGERIA ―OKEI-ODUMAKIN

Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

Widow of late Yinka Odumakin, and President, Women Arise and Centre for Change, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, has raised the alarm that the life of embattled Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, may be in danger if the federal government of Nigeria succeeds in perfecting his extradition from the Republic of Benin, where he was arrested on Monday.

It will be recalled that Sunday Igboho was arrested by security forces in Benin Republic as he attempted travelling from the tiny Wes African country to Germany, his wife’s home country, on Monday. This was coming about three weeks after the State Security Service, SSS, declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he flatly denied.

Reacting to the arrest, Dr. Okei-Odumakin feared that Igboho’s safety could not be guaranteed or given justice if extradited to Nigeria.

In a statement she signed and issued on Wednesday, she expressed fears that given the “prevailing circumstances” in a situation in which the Nigerian government treats bandits, herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorists with kid gloves, there was no guarantee that Igboho’s safety could be assured.

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“It is not debatable that Igboho will come to grief if he is extradited to Nigeria under the prevailing circumstances. The Nigerian government treats bandits, herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorists with kid gloves while applying “sledge hammer on law-abiding citizens protesting against such terrorists and their wanton destruction of lives and property,” she noted.

She therefore called on the relevant authorities to immediately release Igboho unconditionally from detention and his safety and liberty guaranteed by the Republic of Benin authorities under extant international law; adding that the Nigerian authorities were better advised to stop chasing shadows but to address the patent dangers posed to the country by the despicable elements it was treating with kid gloves.

She maintained that protection of life and property was the fundamental rights of citizens and the overriding objectives of State policy.

“Neglecting these and running after critics and opposition figures is not only irresponsible but also inimical on the long run to the good health, safety, and continued corporate existence of our beloved country, Nigeria,” she said.

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