[News] 1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana excludes political refugees – Sunday Igboho’s counsel

Yomi Alliyu, Lead Counsel for arrested Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho has stated that the Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excludes political fugitives.

According to him, the treaty states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution, the host country (in this case Benin) should not release the fugitive.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop Igboho from leaving the country after the Nigerian secret police had raided Igboho’s Ibadan residence in the Soka area on July 1, 2021, arrestimg alt=’1984 Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana excludes political refugees – Sunday Igboho’s counsel’ class=’img-responsive text-center’ style=’margin: auto;’ about 12 of his aides and killing two of them in a gun duel.

The FG then reportedly took Igboho into custody in neighbouring Cotonou on the night of Monday, July 19 while reportedly processing his extradition.

Now his lawyer says such Extradition is not legal in Igboho’s case.

“The Extradition Treaty of 1984 between Togo, Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin excluded political fugitives.” He told PUNCH.

It also states that where the fugitive will not get justice because of discrimination and/or undue delay in prosecution the host country should not release the fugitive.

“Now, Article 20 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the four countries are signatories made agitation for self-determination a fundamental right to be protected by all countries. This made Chief Sunday Adeyemo a political offender who cannot be deported and/or extradited by the good people of the Republic of Benin for any reason,” Alliyu said.

He also urged the government of Germany, Benin Republic and the international community “to rise up and curb the impunity of the Nigerian Government by refusing any application for extradition of Igboho.”