Abiodun Stood as Guarantor for Sunday Igboho’s Return for Mother’s Burial — Olajengbesi
IBADAN — Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has recounted how Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, intervened in the case of Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to enable him return to Nigeria and attend his late mother’s burial.
Olajengbesi disclosed this in a Facebook post on Sunday evening after visiting Igboho, whom he described as his elder brother, leader and former client.
According to the lawyer, he and Igboho spent time discussing Nigeria, politics, leadership and the activist’s experiences over the years.
Olajengbesi recalled that during Igboho’s travails, he provided legal representation for him, adding that the Yoruba activist often called him from detention to express his appreciation for his efforts.
The lawyer said a particularly emotional moment came in 2023 when Igboho contacted him following the death of his mother.
According to Olajengbesi, Igboho told him that, regardless of the circumstances surrounding his situation, he needed to return home to pay his last respects to his mother.
“I was no longer listening merely as his lawyer. I was listening to a grieving man who wanted to perform his final duty to the woman who gave him life,” Olajengbesi said.
He said he subsequently contacted Governor Dapo Abiodun and appealed for his intervention.
Olajengbesi said the governor asked whether he had raised the matter with the then National Security Adviser and expressed the view that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would encourage anyone whose activities and ideology remained within the ambit of the law.
According to him, he subsequently connected Igboho with Governor Abiodun and three other governors who considered the appeal.
“While other engagements surrounding the matter must remain privileged, I vividly remember Governor Dapo Abiodun agreeing to stand as a guarantor for Chief Igboho’s conduct during the seven-day grace period granted for his mother’s burial,” he stated.
Olajengbesi said Igboho subsequently returned to Nigeria, performed the final rites for his mother and left the country immediately afterwards.
He added that Igboho’s matter was later resolved through engagements involving several prominent Nigerians and within the ambit of the law.
The lawyer also acknowledged Igboho’s significance in contemporary discussions about Yoruba identity, security and aspirations, while noting that, like every other human being, the activist was not perfect.
The account comes against the background of Igboho’s prolonged absence from Nigeria following his 2021 departure to Benin Republic. In February 2024, Olajengbesi publicly expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for his role in Igboho’s peaceful return to Nigeria.
Olajengbesi concluded his latest post by expressing appreciation to Igboho for the warm reception and meaningful discussions during his visit.
