Igboho: How Benin Republic demanded extradition of ex-minister in 2019
As the diplomatic fireworks continue in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on the extradition of Yoruba Nation arrowhead, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, facts have emerged that politically-motivated extradition is not new to Benin Republic, Nigeria’s neighbour in the West African sub-region.
According to the 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the United States’ Department of State, the government of Benin Republic in 2019 attempted to misuse international law enforcement tools for politically motivated purposes against specific individuals located outside the country.
The report partly read, “In April 2019, a Spanish court rejected the government’s request for the extradition of former minister of finance Komi Koutche, who had been arrested during a stopover in Madrid in 2018 based on an Interpol (International Police Criminal Organization) Red Notice.
“The court cited lack of evidence to substantiate the request, potential political motivation for the request, and CRIET (Court to Counter Economic Crimes and Terrorism)’s inability to provide for a fair trial due to its lack of independence from the government.
“On April 4, CRIET tried Komi Koutche in absentia, found him guilty of embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office while head of the National Fund for Microcredit, and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment. Koutche remained in self-imposed exile at year’s end.”
The PUNCH had reported that the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, arrested Igboho and his wife, Ropo, on Monday night while trying to catch a flight to Germany.
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