Igboho sues Benin Republic over unlawful detention
By Ibrahim Adeleke
The Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has filed One million US Dollars, ($1,000,000 U.S.), (Five hundred and sixty million Naira) as general damages, for each day he has been imprisoned in the Benin Republic, before the Community Court of Justice, the Economic Community of West African States,(ECOWAS) in Abuja against the Republic of Benin.
He asked the court for an order awarding him General damages in an amount equivalent to $1,000,000 (U.S.) for the alleged violation of his human right by the Republic of Benin.
Igboho after being raided at his Soka Ibadan home on July 1, 2021, by Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, had escaped to the Benin Republic en route Germany but was arrested by the operatives of the Brigade Criminelle on July 19, 2021.
Igboho, through his lawyer, Mr Tosin Ojaomo, sought a declaration that Benin’s actions regarding his unlawful, arbitrary arrest and detention, violating his freedom of movement, his right to an unbiased trial within a reasonable time, violates his dignity of the human person.
He said that the order sought was pursuant to Article 59 of Rules of Procedure, an Expedited Procedure and Hearing, regarding the imprisonment and release of Chief Adeyemo.
Ojaomo in the application dated February 10, 2022, sought An Order for the immediate and unconditional release of Chief Adeyemo, along with his Nigerian passport, pending litigation and determination on damages.
Igboho’s counsel said the application was brought pursuant to Article 3(4) of the 2005 Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/01/05, by which “the Court has jurisdiction to determine (the) case of violation of human rights that occur in any Member State.”
“Article 11(1) of the 1991 Community Court of Justice Protocol (A/P.I/7/91) by which “cases may be brought before the Court by an application addressed to the Court Registry.”
