Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho, has been rushed to a hospital in Benin Republic after he was reportedly diagnosed with possible kidney or lungs illness.
This disclosure was made by one of Igboho’s lawyers, Yomi Alliyu, during an interview with BBC Yoruba, where he noted that the rights activist developed the illness while in Benin Republic prison custody.
Alliyu confirmed that Sunday Igboho has also been critically ill and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
What Sunday Igboho’s lawyer is saying
The lawyer raised an alarm that Igboho needed urgent medical attention, saying, “Igboho was not diagnosed with this sickness before he was arrested in Cotonou. It was so critical that they had to rush him to the hospital.
“I can’t tell if he has been returned to the prison from the hospital but what I know is, he’s battling ill health and it seems his kidney and lungs are already being affected.
“Even though I cannot tell which part of his body the sickness has really affected, I know it has to do with his internal organs.”
According to Punch, some sources in the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, confirmed the development.
The group said, “Yes, he is ill and his kidney appears affected. We are not very sure yet. Another test result is expected for confirmation. We are working on that and I can assure you that he is in safe hands,” one of the sources said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for Ilana Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye, said, “Expect our reaction soon. But the government should be warned that nothing must happen to Igboho.”
What you should know
- Sunday Igboho, who is currently in a detention facility in Benin Republic, has been having a running battle with the Federal Government over his agitation for the declaration of a Yoruba nation,
- His home at Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, was invaded by men from DSS at about 1:30 am on July 1, 2021, leading to the arrest of 12 of his aides with 2 casualties reported, while Igboho managed to escape arrest.
- Igboho was later arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on July 16, 2021, with his wife, while travelling to Germany and has since then been in detention.
- Following the raid, Igboho sued the Federal Government and demanded damages, asking the court to order the respondents to jointly pay him the sum of N500 million as special damages for the damage done to his house and car. He also demanded another N500 billion for the exemplary and aggravated damages of breaching his fundamental rights with the malicious invasion of his house.
- Igboho also asked for an order directing the Federal Government and the other respondents to tender a public apology in two national dailies.
- Igboho filed the application, through his lawyer, Yomi Alliyu, to enforce his fundamental human rights, pursuant to Sections 33-46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and relevant articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
- The respondents listed on the application filed on July 22 before the Ibadan Division of the Oyo State High Court were the Attorney General of the Federation, the State Security Service, and the Director SSS.
- Igboho also sought an order from the court directing the respondents to return all the items seized from the house.
- He listed the items to include, N2 million cash, one thousand Euros, travel documents including international passports belonging to him and his family members, gold jewellery and wristwatches, 2 mobile phones, and other items yet unknown but which were allegedly carted away by the SSS.