The Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin, has charged Chief Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as ‘Sunday Igboho’ and supporters to remain law abiding and shun violence.
The monarch, who hosted Igboho and supporters, at his palace in Owo, Ondo State, described Igboho as beacon of hope, urging him not be deterred by tribulations.
The monarch underscored the need for cooperation among communities in the South West, emphasising that effective development can only thrive in a secured and peaceful environment.
Igboho, who commended support and solidarity he received from South West monarchs when agents of the Department of State Security (DSS) invaded his Soka residence on July 1, 2021, thanked the traditional ruler for his warm reception and encouragement.
He commended the support he enjoyed in his previous struggles against repeated onslaughts by herders, which allegedly culminated in the killings of farmers, rape and severe injuries in recent years.
According to him: “When our people were under constant attacks from hoodlums, it was the encouragement, wise counsel, and from the monarch that helped us remain steadfast and survive the turbulence.”
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, has arrived in Nigeria from Germany.
Yoruba socio-cultural organisations, including Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Vigilante Group and Ifelodun Security Network received him yesterday amid cheers.
In July 2021, Igboho was arrested alongside his wife, Ropo, in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The embattled Yoruba Nation campaigner had fled Nigeria after the Department of State Services (DSS) raided his home in Ibadan, Oyo State on July 1, 2021.
In 2024, the activist came to the country briefly for his late mother’s burial.
Upon his return to Nigeria yesterday, Igboho pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to remove his name from watch-listed persons, saying he is not a criminal and should not be treated as such.
He lamented that he was declared wanted by the late President Muhammadu Buhari administration for an unknown offence, noting that this had made it difficult for him to use the Nigerian passport as well as denied him access to his bank accounts.
Igboho spoke yesterday during a visit to the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, at his Ile Igbon Palace.
Arriving at the palace around 4:20pm, he expressed discontent about his situation.
“What have I done to justify my being declared wanted by the Buhari administration? I am not a criminal and should not be treated as such.
“But for the assurance given by Olugbon, I wouldn’t have been able to make this trip. I couldn’t come to Nigeria, let alone sleep in my house in Ibadan.
“I couldn’t access any of my bank accounts just because I am defending the interest of Yorubaland.
“I am here to seek the intervention of Oba Olugbon on this matter. I know he is in a position to appeal to the Federal Government to rescind the decision on my being declared wanted,” he said.
Continuing, Igboho said he had raised the same issue with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, adding that he’s tired of life in exile.
“I have raised the same matter with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade. I have been to his palace. I am tired of staying in exile,” he stressed.
On the region’s security, Igboho urged the government to appoint capable individuals to oversee safety in the Southwest.
“If I cannot be entrusted with this responsibility, then they should appoint someone qualified. We will fully support their efforts,” he said.
Responding, Oba Alao recommended Igboho for a leadership role in Southwest’s security framework, asserting: “While the Federal Government may have its national security strategies, I believe Sunday Igboho is well-suited for this responsibility. I will formally recommend him to the governors and President Tinubu within 48 hours.’’
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has arrived in Nigeria from Germany.
Various Yoruba socio-cultural organisations, including the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Vigilante group and Ifelodun Security Network received him amid cheers.
In July 2021, Igboho was arrested with wife, Ropo, in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The embattled Yoruba Nation campaigner had fled Nigeria after the Department of State Services (DSS) raided his residence in Ibadan, Oyo state on July 1.
In 2024, the activist was in the country briefly for his late mother’s burial ceremony.
Upon his return to Nigeria on Tuesday, Igboho pleaded with President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to remove his name from wanted list, saying he is not a criminal and should not be treated as such.
Igboho lamented that he was declared wanted by the Late Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for an unknown offence, and it has made it difficult for him to use the Nigerian Passport as well as denied him access to his bank accounts.
Igboho stated this during a visit to the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, at his Ile Igbon Palace on Tuesday.
Arriving at the palace around 4:20 p.m., he expressed disaffection with his current situation
“What have I done to justify my being declared wanted by Buhari’s administration. I am not a criminal and should not be treated as such.
“If not the assurance given by Olugbon, I wouldn’t have been able to make this trip. I couldn’t come to Nigeria talk less of sleeping in my house in Ibadan.
“I couldn’t access any of my bank accounts just because I am defending the interest of the Yorubaland.
“I am here to seek the intervention of Oba Olugbon on this matter. I know he is in position to appeal to the federal government to rescind decision on my being declared wanted,” he said.
Continuing, Igboho said he had raised the same issue with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, saying he’s tired of life in exile.
“I have raised the same matter with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade. I have been to his Palace. I am tired of staying in exile,” he added.
On region’s security, Igboho urged the government to appoint capable individuals to oversee safety in the South West.
“If I cannot be entrusted with this responsibility, then they should appoint someone qualified, and we will fully support their efforts,” he added.
He also called on Southwest Governors to unite in their approach to the President on Igboho’s behalf, adding , “It’s time for you to return home; enough of your time abroad.”
While responding, Oba Alao recommended Igboho for a leadership role in the Southwest’s security framework, asserting: “While the Federal Government may have its national security strategies, I believe Sunday Igboho is well-suited for this responsibility. I will formally recommend him to the governors and President Tinubu within 48 hours.
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday dismissed a N5 billion defamation suit filed by the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, against Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Justice O.T. Ademola-Salami, who presided over Court 15, not only dismissed the suit but also awarded a cost of N500,000 against Adams in favour of Igboho.
The suit, marked M/1006/2004, was filed by Adams through his counsel, Sikiru Akinrele, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
Adams alleged that Igboho unlawfully recorded a private telephone conversation without his consent and published defamatory content, which he said violated his right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He demanded N5 billion in damages.
Among other reliefs, Adams sought a declaration that the alleged secret recording and subsequent publication of his private phone conversation were unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional.
When the matter came up on April 30, 2025, Akinrele urged the court to uphold his client’s claims. However, Igboho’s counsel, Mr. Junaid Sanusi, opposed the application and filed a counter-affidavit and written address, which were adopted in court.
Sanusi argued that the suit was fundamentally flawed because Adams did not personally depose to the affidavit, nor did the third-party deponent explain why Adams could not do so himself — a requirement under the law.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Ademola-Salami upheld the objections raised by Igboho’s counsel, ruling that the affidavit in support of Adams’ claims was defective and thus inadmissible.
The court also noted that Adams failed to provide sufficient evidence proving that Igboho tapped or recorded his telephone conversations.
With no legal representation present for Adams at the proceeding, the judge dismissed the suit and awarded N500,000 in costs to Sunday Igboho.
A Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as ‘Sunday Igboho said he remains on the wanted list of Federal Government.
He was reacting to claim by the former director in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed who alleged Igboho is enjoying freedom of movement despite being on the wanted list of the Federal Government.
Igboho, while describing Naja’atu’s claim as unfounded and ridiculous, cautioned her to desist from dragging his name into propaganda and campaign of calumny aimed at rubbishing the government of Tinubu.
Naja’atu had reportedly raised concerns over what she described as a disparity in the Federal Government’s treatment of separatist figures, questioning why there had been silence regarding the secessionist activities of Sunday Igboho, while Nnamdi Kanu remained in prolonged detention.
She also accused Tinubu of sidelining the North in the governance after exploring the region’s electoral value to attain power during 2023 general election.
A statement by Igboho said Naja’atu’s claim about his freedom aptly shows her ignorance and myopic mindset, saying “I’m still on the wanted list of Federal Government despite the Presidency headed by President Bola Tinubu.”
The statement reads: “Currently I’m using my German passport to travel in Europe and other continents and cannot enter the shores of Nigeria, having been declared wanted by security agencies under the leadership of former despotic President Muhammadu Buhari, who handed over a comatose economy to the present government.
“The order declaring me wanted still remain subsisting under the present government.
“What was my offence? Because I voiced my objection to the incessant killings of farmers, maiming and sexual violation of women perpetrated by Fulani herders against South West communities, most especially in agrarian settlements during the inglorious regime of immediate past President Buhari.
“It is on record that on July 1, 2021, a combined team of heavily armed personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Army invaded my residence in Ibadan, with the intent to either arrest or assassinate me. At the end of the vicious attack, which lasted for hours, two of my people were shot dead while 13 others were arrested.
“Since Nigeria attained independence and advent of democratic rule, out of 16 presidents who governed the nation, only two are from the Yoruba ethnic group-former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
“Where was Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed when Boko Haram terrorists and herders were wreaking havoc on Nigerians in the North and South West through mindless killings during administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari? During this period, an Islamic cleric, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, who was the negotiator between the Federal Government and terrorist groups made millions of dollars.
“It’s because Tinubu’s government has resolved to tackle insurgency headlong rather than employing the service of the likes of Gumi that prompted spurious claims and mischievous propaganda by this woman. But she should desist from bringing my name into her diatribe.”
Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo (alias Sunday Igboho) has denied a report that a warrant of arrest was issued for him by the Federal High Court, Lagos, over an alleged breach of contract.
In a statement by his lawyer, Akinlolu Oyebamiji, principal partner at AOC Solicitors & Attorneys, he said the publication (not by The Nation) was false and intended to damage his reputation.
Igboho said he was shocked to hear that an ex-parte order was obtained at the instance of one Captain Ola Alufa to extradite and arrest him over a contractual relationship he was never a party to. According to the statement, the publication was only used to malign Igboho’s reputation.
Oyebamiji said Igboho was only invited while in Germany to intervene in the release of two detained businessmen in Benin Republic.
Following Igboho’s intervention, the detained persons and their workers were granted administrative bail by the Cotonou police.
The lawyer said Igboho only “appealed to the duo to shift ground for each other in the interest of peace and nothing more”.
“There is no record and/or evidence to show that there was a transaction i.e. contractual or suretiship, between Igboho and Captain Alufa or anybody whatsoever.
“It came as a shock to our office and our client himself to hear that an ex-parte order was obtained at the instance of Mr. Captain Ola Alufa to extradite and arrest our client over the contractual relationship he is never a party to,” Oyebamiji said.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Richard Montgomery has said that the letter submitted at 10 Downing Street by Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, was not endorsed by any UK government agency or Parliament Committee.
Igboho was reported to have submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation.
Olayomi Koiki, the spokesman for Sunday Igboho, made this known in a post on Sunday via his X page.
He stated that Igboho submitted the petition on behalf of the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, Prof. Adebanji Akintoye
But the British envoy in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs downplayed the significance of the receipt of the letter, saying it was done as mere formality.
The High Commissioner was claimed to have clarified the issue when he was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the report in the media was misleading, stressing the UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.
The statement signed by Amb, Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads:”Following media reports on the petition submitted at 10 Downing Street by Mr. Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, The British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to shed light on the issue.
“During the parlay, the High Commissioner noted the concern that the matter had generated, indicating that the press reports were highly misleading.
“Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed he was aware of the letter being delivered but added that it was merely an established practice of allowing the delivery of letters and petitions to No 10. “It was not endorsed by any Agency of the UK government or the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.
“The High Commissioner noted that the UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country.
“He informed that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.
“In this regard, He agreed to continue liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as needed, while reiterating the importance of the bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has indicated that he was quoted out of context and that he did not accuse the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Government, Tayo Ayinde of financing Sunday Igboho’s agitation for Yoruba nation.
Adams who made this known in a recent interview added that all that he said about Ayinde in a voice note that went viral recently were mere hearsay and not verified.
He said it was part of a private discussion with one of his contacts in the United States and that it was not meant for public consumption.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo said: “The voice note issue was shocking. It was a conversation with one of my friend’s brothers in the United States. He was asking me how to resolve the issue with Sunday Igboho and how I would reconcile with him. I also mentioned a former Chief Security Officer (CSO), whom I call Sadam, Rasak Arogundade. We talked for about an hour and a half, and during the conversation, I mentioned the CSO.
“I said that someone told me, though it wasn’t confirmed information, that Tayo Ayinde was the one financing Sunday Igboho’s activities through Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I was clear that it was unverified, but I relayed it during our private conversation. I mentioned this in confidence, emphasizing that it might not be true.
“However, the voice note was edited, cutting out the part where I clarified that the information wasn’t confirmed, leading to misunderstandings. This selective editing created confusion and spread misinformation. A conversation that lasted one and a half hours was cut down to 17 minutes, distorting our two-hour discussion. At the end of the day, they took a portion of my statement, brought the audio out and published it.
“I saw it on their page, and then they started sending me messages, claiming that I defamed them. I believe the case is in court because I saw it on the front page of the newspaper today (Wednesday, April 24), though I haven’t been served yet. I suppose we will meet in court. The most unfortunate aspect is that Tayo Ayinde, who is not a controversial person and has never publicly attacked me, has become entangled in this mess.”
Iba Gani Adams added: “Tayo Ayinde is a quiet person who doesn’t talk much. Yet, the other side has bullied me more than anyone else in the world, either by proxy or directly. They’ve called me every name in the book. Some of their bloggers recently claimed that I have a spirit that drinks blood in my house. There has been a lot of nonsense said about me, but I believe that, as a public figure, I can’t challenge everything said about me in court.
“The most unfortunate aspect is the issue with Tayo Ayinde, which I mentioned as something someone told me, but was not confirmed. It became public. I was just having a casual conversation with my friend on a WhatsApp call and I don’t know how the voice note got out.”
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has distanced himself from the invasion of the Oyo state government Secretariat by suspected agitators on Saturday, April 13.
The Nation reports that security officials arrested 16 gunmen suspected to be members of Yoruba Nation adherents.
The gunmen, who were dressed in military camouflage, engaged security officers in a gun duel.
Some of the gunmen took to their heels and were pursued into nearby bushes and forests.
They reportedly removed the Nigerian national flag in the secretariat and replaced it with their “Oodua nation flag”, before the intervention of the security officials.
Reacting, Igboho denounced the actions of the suspected agitators, noting that he was not aware and not part of it.
The Nation learnt Igboho has been out of the country after his late mother’s burial ceremony in February.
Another group ‘Ominira Yoruba/Indigenous Yoruba People’ led by Ms Modupe Onitiri Abiola, wife of late MKO Abiola was alleged to have carried out the invasion, declaring ‘Democratic Republic of Yoruba’.
In a viral video seen by The Nation, Ms. Abiola who spoke in Yoruba, was clad in a white blouse with a white headgear.
She said: “We are organised people, we are sovereign people and we will do things accordingly. We have decided to leave Nigeria and we have left since November 2022.
“We are declaring this day that we are no longer part of this country. With the awesome power that God used to create the sky and seven clouds, moon and stars. I, Modupe Onitiri Abiola, proclaim the Democratic Republic of Yoruba.
“Yoruba has become a Nation without any opposition. It is so, it is a declaration that God has caused us to stay.
“Yoruba today, 12 April 2024 begins as a sovereign nation; and will operate as a country.”
According to Igboho’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq, in a statement made available to The Nation affirmed that his client stands firm in his commitment to non-violence and does not condone attacks on government property or individuals.
The statement titled: “Statement from the legal counsel of Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho, said: “1. “Chief Sunday Adeyemo is not aware of, related to, nor does he endorse the reported incident in Ibadan, Oyo State, where individuals allegedly invaded the state secretariat claiming to take over the state as Yoruba Nation agitators.”
“2. “He categorically denounces any such actions and advises the general public not to associate him with them. Chief Sunday Adeyemo stands firm in his commitment to non-violence and does not condone attacks on government property or individuals.”
“3. “He urges the public to understand that attempting to take over government facilities is unlawful and undermines the legitimate aspirations of those peacefully advocating for the Yoruba Nation. His goal remains the protection and advancement of the Yoruba people through lawful means.”
Also reacting personally, Igboho said: “It was brought to my notice, the attempted hijacking of the Oyo state assembly complex by some ‘self-acclaimed’ Oodua nation members and I’ll like to put it out there. I have no hands in that.
“Also, no Oduduwa nation member will dare attempt such. I’ll implore the state government to do due diligence on the matter and figure out the identities of these impersonators and blackmailers.”
Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho has instituted a case of alleged defamation against the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams.
The suit number I/406/2024 is before an Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Igboho is praying for an order compelling the defendant to pay N500 million as aggravated damages over a leaked audio conversation, which he claimed rubbished his reputation.
Igboho is seeking among others, “a declaration that the content of an audio clip between the defendant (Adams) and a third party named Nuru Banjo that took place sometime in November, 2021 and further published on all new media platforms, including youtube, is slanderous, libelous and defamatory.
“A declaration that it is unlawful, inappropriate and inexcusable for the defendant to defame, disparage and put to disrepute the character and reputation of the claimant (Igboho) in an audio clip published on all new media platforms, including Youtube, in a publication that took place between the defendant and a third party, Mr. Nuru Banjo, sometime in November, 2021 or thereabout.
“An order of this honourable court directing the defendant to publicly retract the slanderous, libelous and defamatory content contained in the publication to Nuru Banjo which was further published on all new media platforms including Youtube where the claimant was defamed, maligned and disparaged by the defendant in the conversation published in November, 2021 by the defendant.
“An order of this honourable court directing the defendant to engage all new media platforms, including youtube, to take down the slanderous, libelous and defamatory content against the claimant.
“An order of this honourable court directing the defendant to tender unreserved apology to the claimant in five national newspapers in Nigeria over defamatory content against the claimant by the defendant which has been published on all new media platforms, including youtube.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agent, privies or assigns from further embarrassing degrading or defaming the person of the claimant.
“An order of this honourable court for the payment of exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of five hundred million naira (N500,000,000.00) in favour of the claimant for defamation of the person of the claimant by the defendant.”
