Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a. Sunday Igboho may face 21 years
imprisonment over the Beninese passport he tendered before his aborted trip.
Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested on Monday at the
Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.
The secessionist, wanted in Nigeria, was said to have
presented a fake travelling document to Immigration officials in Benin.
On July 9, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced
that Igboho had been placed on stop-list.
NIS alerted Nigeria Police, Department of State Services
(DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) that he was making efforts to acquire
a new Nigerian passport as part of plans to flee.
As the authorities uncovered his strategy, Igboho, it was
gathered, made arrangements for unofficial Beninese passport.
Igboho and Ropo were stopped on their way to Germany after
security operatives discovered gus real identity.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba, a lawmaker in Benin, Mr.
Tolulase said the situation is not looking good for the agitator.
The legislator explained that though Benin is a small
country, the laws are strictly enforced.
“On this passport issue, take me for instance, I’m from
Benin but married an Ijebu woman. We have five kids. She gave birth to two in
Nigeria, three in Benin.
“Only the three have Beninese passport, the two others and
my wife do not have. She can only apply if we marry legally in Benin.
“Even after the court wedding, the passport is not issued
immediately. She will wait for some years and must go through the processes.
“The first thing you must have is National Identity Card.
Now, if you’re not a citizen, the only way you can get a passport is if you
legally marry a Beninoise.
“You can see it’s not easy. So, if you procure a fake one,
you’ll be uncovered because you don’t have a National Identity Card. The
details are linked.
“The card must have a family name. About three to five of
your relatives must confirm to the government they know you and your early
years.
“It is after they testify that the court will issue the
card, which can then be used to apply for a passport. If such is doctored, the
punishment is 21 years imprisonment. It’s a serious offence.
“And it’s not just the owner of the fake passport that will
be prosecuted, all those who know about it will be charged to court.
“On Chief Sunday Igboho, the Beninese government will carry
out a detailed investigation that will expose everyone involved in his passport
obtainment”, Tolulase said.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the Yoruba Nation advocate are
fighting against his extradition to Nigeria where he may face treason charges.
The federal government, its agencies and South-West
governors remain silent on Igboho’s ordeal.
Igboho’s supporters within and outside Nigeria are calling
for his unconditional release, insisting self-determination isn’t a crime.
President, Women Arise and Centre for Change, Joe
Okei-Odumakin, has appealed to the Beninoise government not to repatriate
Igboho.
She said Igboho cannot be assured of safety or justice in
Nigeria and “will come to grief if he is extradited under the prevailing
circumstances”.
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