After meeting bail conditions, release Ighoho’s 12 aides suffer delay

Detained 12 aides of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho have met their bail conditions, their lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi said.But the presiding judge of the matter, Justice Obiora Egwuatu was not around to sign their release warrant, as of Tuesday when the lawyer approached the bail office of the court, as the judge was said to have travelled out of the country on a short notice.However, a new judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to sign the release warrant of the 12 detained aides.Olajengbesi, who spoke with the Punch, had approached the bail office of the court but was told that Justice Egwuatu travelled on a short notice.Consequently, he requested the bail office of the court to assign another judge to sign the release warrant of his clients.With the development, the 12 aides, who have been in the Department of State Services’ (DSS’) custody for about 50 days may be released soon.Speaking on meeting the conditions for the release of the 12 detainees, Olajengbesi said, “We have met all the bail conditions and the deputy registrar at the bail office has signed a memo to that effect. However, I was told by the bail office that the judge that will sign their release order has travelled out urgently for a seminar and will not return till next week.“We think that these events are happening coincidentally which is affecting us essentially. Usually, when a particular judge who is supposed to sign a release warrant is not on the ground, another judge can sign a release warrant because it has to do with the liberty of citizens.“We have made efforts to reach out to another judge today and the judge gave us an appointment for tomorrow. We are hopeful that the judge will sign it. We do not think that it is a ploy to frustrate us.”The 12 aides were arrested by theDSS operatives on July 1, 2021, during a raid on Igboho’s Ibadan residence around 1am.