Tobi Adebayo
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has called on the Government of Benin Republic to release Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho from jail.
Soyinka made the call during an interactive session on Friday titled, “Sanctions on the loose: Chasing the gnat with a sledgehammer.”
Igboho was arrested on July 19 alongside his wife, Ropo, at an airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
He was trying to flee to Germany after being declared wanted by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms to cause chaos in the country.
Operatives of the DSS had stormed Igboho’s residence in Ibadan, arrested 12 of his aides and killed two in a gun battle.
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Speaking on Igboho’s plight, Soyinka said the Yoruba Nation agitator’s offence was defending his people against Fulani tyranny.
“I refuse to believe that Igboho committed any offence except agitating against Fulani tyranny on his people. He peacefully demonstrated his position. I can’t consider that to be decided a criminal. Agitating for secession is not a criminal act as long as it’s done peacefully. You don’t have to criminalise that,” Soyinka said.
