The liberties judge of the Cotonou court of first instance issued an order on Monday March 7 to release this supporter of a “Yoruba” nation, who has been detained in the Cotonou civil prison since the end of July last year.
With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
The separatist, a fervent supporter of the creation of a “Yoruba” nation, was wanted by the services of his country for arms trafficking and calling for an insurrection. He had therefore found refuge in Benin but was arrested in Cotonou by the Beninese courts “for associations of criminals preparing to commit crimes in Benin”. He is now free, but placed under judicial control with obligations.
According to our information, the separatist’s counsel formulated a new release request last week. This time, the detention and freedoms judge said yes, but only for placement under judicial supervision. The judge would have considered that the detention of Sunday Igboho is no longer necessary for the manifestation of the truth. Well-informed sources also report that the investigation would be well advanced.
Me Ibrahim Salami received the notification of the release in the afternoon. He immediately went to the civil prison of Cotonou. He picked up his client around 10 p.m. after exit formalities. Sunday Igboho joined a residence where he will live.
The judge’s order is accompanied by obligations: travel ban, also ban on leaving the residence without authorization. Moreover, the activist cannot receive whom he wants. A restricted list of authorized visitors exists. He has the obligation to defer to all the summonses of justice. The police should carry out a daily check of his presence.