N20bn Suit: Security Operatives Bar Journalists, Igboho’s Supporters from Court Premises

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Security operatives yesterday barred journalists and supporters of the Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), from gaining entrance to the Court of Appeal, Ibadan division, Oyo State.

The court is sitting over an appeal filed by the federal government against a judgement in favour of Igboho.

An Ibadan High Court presided by Justice Ladiran Akintola had earlier awarded the sum of N20 billion in favour of Igboho against the federal government over the invasion of his house.

Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) had on July 1, 2021, invaded the Ibadan residence of Igboho.

He then approached the high court where judgement in his favour against the federal government was delivered.

During the sitting of the Court of Appeal yesterday, journalists, who were in court to cover the proceedings as well as supporters of Igboho, were barred from gaining entrance to the court premises.

Some of the supporters were there calling for freedom for Igboho, saying among others: ‘What do we want? Igboho freedom’; ‘Do not kill Sunday Igboho’; ‘Do not kill Sunday Adeyemo’; ‘Do not kill Sunday Adeyemo, the way you killed Abiola’.

They sang: “How many people DSS go kill, how many people DSS go kill, them go kill us tire’. Yoruba nation, no going back.”

The lead counsel to Igboho, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), who addressed journalists after the court session, said the case has been adjourned for judgement to a later date, adding that the court would communicate the date to them.

“The case has been adjourned for judgement. The date will be communicated to us,” he said.