Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, reportedly played a key role in enabling Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to return to Nigeria to attend his late mother’s burial, according to human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi.
Olajengbesi revealed the details after recently meeting with Igboho, whom he described as his elder brother and former client. The lawyer said their meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on Igboho’s experiences, leadership, politics and the circumstances surrounding his return to Nigeria after spending time outside the country.
According to Olajengbesi, Igboho contacted him in 2023 following the death of his mother and expressed a strong desire to return home to perform the final rites despite the circumstances surrounding his situation at the time...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The lawyer said he subsequently approached Governor Abiodun and appealed for his intervention. He recalled that the governor asked whether the matter had been discussed with the National Security Adviser and expressed the view that President Bola Tinubu would support individuals whose activities remained within the law.
Olajengbesi said he later connected Igboho with Abiodun as well as three other governors who considered the request.
He explained that Abiodun eventually agreed to stand as a guarantor for Igboho’s conduct during a seven day grace period granted to enable the activist return to Nigeria, attend his mother’s burial and leave the country afterwards.
Igboho subsequently returned to Nigeria, performed the burial rites and departed the country immediately after the ceremony, according to the lawyer.
Olajengbesi further stated that the broader issues surrounding Igboho were eventually addressed through engagements involving several prominent Nigerians and within the framework of the law.
Igboho had left Nigeria for the Benin Republic in 2021 following heightened security and legal tensions surrounding his activities. His return for his mother’s burial therefore attracted considerable attention at the time.
Olajengbesi also reflected on his relationship with Igboho, recalling the legal support he provided during the activist’s difficult period. He described Igboho as an influential voice in discussions concerning Yoruba identity, security and the aspirations of people in the South West.
The lawyer acknowledged that Igboho, like every other individual, is not without imperfections, but maintained that his role in contemporary Yoruba affairs and the conversations surrounding regional security and identity remains significant.
The latest disclosure provides further details about the circumstances surrounding Igboho’s temporary return to Nigeria for his mother’s burial and the involvement of government officials and other prominent Nigerians in facilitating the process.
