Embattled Yoruba Nation activist and freedom fighter, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has taken the government of Benin Republic to the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanding $1 million as compensation for each day he has spent in detention in the country.
While filing the suit through his lawyer, Tosin Ojaomo, Igboho requested for a declaration of the court that the actions of Benin Republic regarding his arrest and detention was an infringement on his freedom of movement, his right to an unbiased trial within a reasonable time, and violated his right to dignity as a person.
According to Ojaomo, the suit which will soon be heard at a high court in Benin is seeking an order for the immediate and unconditional release of Igboho along as well as his Nigerian passport pending litigation and determination on damages.
In a statement, Ojaomo said: “The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the “Banjul Charter”), Articles 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12(1), 12(2), 12(3), and 17(2). Article 3(2)(d)(iii) of the ECOWAS Treaty, Article 2(1) of the ECOWAS Protocol A/P.1/5/79 relating to Free Movement of Persons, Residence, and establishment, upon which Chief Adeyemo sought to escape the persecution by passing through the neighbouring Republic of Benin (“Benin”), to take refuge in Germany.”
