The government of Benin Republic has filed fresh charges against the Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho.
This was disclosed by one of the activist’s lawyers, Ibrahim Salami, while speaking with BBC Yoruba.
According to him, the charges were brought up in the Monday hearing which lasted for several hours.
He said before the hearing, the legal team was expecting extradition charges from the Nigerian government against the activist but he was confronted with fresh charges.
The law professor said Igboho was further remanded to allow police to conduct a thorough investigation into the charges, which included illegal migration, dubious connivance with immigration officers and an attempt to cause civil unrest.
“First, the judge ruled that Sunday Igboho entered into the Benin Republic through illegal means. They also want to investigate how Sunday Igboho conspired with others to enter the Benin Republic through wrong means.
“They also want to know how long he has been in Benin republic and his plans in the country. They also raised a charge on whether he wants to come and cause unrest or social disturbance in Benin Republic,” the lawyer said in an interview with BBC Yoruba.
FirstNews had reported that Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested on Monday, July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, when they were trying to board a flight to Germany.