he Nigerian government assembled at least six lawyers at the Cour De’Appel De Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Monday, in its desperate bid to secure the extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly called Sunday Igboho.

Flavision learnt that the lawyers, both French and English speaking, however, failed to convince the court after a 13-hour trial on Monday as to why Igboho should be extradited.

The court session took no less than 13 hours because of frequent breaks in-between. Also, the Beninese court system is different from the system of law in Nigeria.

Nigerian courts have an adversarial system of justice but Benin Republic has an inquisitorial system; a justice system in which the judge takes the matter on himself to inquire like an investigator, asking questions and probing the two parties,

a legal source said.

So, the court was actually investigating the three main allegations brought against Igboho by the Federal Government of Nigeria which claimed that Igboho was a gun runner, a terrorist and a criminal who wanted to divide Nigeria. All these could not be proven by the lawyers,

the source said.

SaharaReporters learnt that the Cour De’Appel De Cotonou had no choice than to order Igboho to remain in police custody pending further investigation.

The activist was returned to cell after a 13-hour hearing, which ended around 11:20pm on Monday.

The case was heard behind closed doors as the court limited attendance to lawyers, Igboho’s wife, Ropo, and a few others.

Flavision had reported how Benin Republic police arrested Igboho at Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, while trying to fly from the country to Germany.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on July 1 raided the residence of the activist in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Igboho had planned a ”Yoruba Nation Rally” in Lagos two days before the raid.

The DSS raided the residence, killing two people and arresting 12 aides but Igboho escaped.

The agency alleged that Igboho was stockpiling weapons, and subsequently declared him wanted.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.