SUNDAY IGBOHO MAYBE GRANTED BAIL TODAY AS BENIN REPUBLIC SHUNS BUHARI'S REQUEST OF EXTRADITION

All efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari government to extradite Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, to Nigeria from Benin Republic have proved abortive.

The Beninoise government said it won't handle a request for extradition without first trying him for the local offense he was arrested for, sources revealed.

A robust legal challenge by Igboho's legal team against the Benin government has now stapled his extradition to Nigeria despite the FG's insistence that he be extradited to Nigeria to face allegations of weapons stockpiling and activities that threaten the country.

Despite immense pressure from Nigeria, Benin Republic on Wednesday, July 21, reportedly insisted that it would not be part of any process that was against due process.

Igboho and his wife were arrested on Monday, July 19, night in Cadjéhoun Airport, Cotonou with a "fake" Beninese passport while trying to flee to Germany with his wife who is a German citizen.

He is expected to be arraigned for the immigration-related offenses in Benin Republic later today (Thursday) after a spirited move by the Buhari government to bring him back to Nigeria.

The Nigerian government planned to extradite him on Wednesday, but our government said the rule of law must be followed as the world is watching us." A Benin security official said.

The Yoruba nation activist had hired a Beninois defense attorney, Rafael Huvehnou. Huvehnou is currently an attorney to the President of the Benin Republic.

"We went to court at Cotonou today but they didn't bring Igboho to court, so we called his lawyer. He was in safe hands at Cotonou Criminal Brigade where he was detained. They will take him to court today.

"Igboho has given a statement to the police. He was traveling with a Benineise passport adjudged to be fake," the source said.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers of Igboho, also said that "Benin Republic had shown itself to be a country that respects the rule of law and due process, and that "Igboho's legal team in Benin Republic were in talks with the Beninise government."