Ogun Governor Stood Surety For Igboho’s Return To Bury Mother – Says Lawyer

Human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi has said Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun agreed to stand as guarantor for activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to enable him to return to Nigeria for his mother’s burial.

Olajengbesi disclosed this in a Facebook post after visiting Igboho, whom he described as his elder brother and former client. The two discussed politics, leadership and Igboho’s experiences over the years.

According to the lawyer, Igboho called him sometime in 2023 after his mother’s death, insisting that he had to return home to pay his last respects.

Olajengbesi said he subsequently appealed to Abiodun for assistance, adding that the governor asked whether he had raised the matter with the then National Security Adviser.

The lawyer said Abiodun also expressed the view that President Bola Tinubu would support anyone whose activities and ideology remained within the law.

Olajengbesi said he subsequently connected Igboho with Abiodun and three other governors, who considered the appeal.

He said Abiodun eventually agreed to stand as guarantor for Igboho’s conduct during the seven-day grace period granted for the burial.

According to him, Igboho returned home, performed the burial rites for his mother and left Nigeria immediately afterwards.

Olajengbesi added that Igboho’s matter was later resolved through engagements involving several prominent Nigerians, within the ambit of the law.

Igboho left Nigeria for the Benin Republic in 2021. In February 2024, Olajengbesi publicly thanked Abiodun for his role in facilitating Igboho’s peaceful return.

In his Facebook post, the lawyer recalled his relationship with Igboho and described him as “one of the most courageous individuals” he had encountered.

Olajengbesi also said representing Igboho had been an inspiring experience, recalling how the activist would call him from detention to praise his legal work.

He said Igboho’s call after his mother’s death was different, as he could hear the depth of his grief and determination to return home to perform his final duty to his mother.

Olajengbesi wrote that while other engagements surrounding the matter had to remain privileged, he vividly remembered Abiodun agreeing to guarantee Igboho’s conduct during the seven-day grace period.

He added that although Igboho “may not be perfect,” his place in contemporary Yoruba history and conversations surrounding the identity, security and aspirations of the Yoruba people could not be ignored.