Beninise police eject Igboho supporters from court — eight hours into hearing

Police officers stormed the Cotonou Court of Appeal to eject journalists and supporters of the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo better known as Sunday Igboho. 

The armed police officers came in a number of police vans, two of them came to the courthouse, two more at the gate, and another two at the entrance of the street leading to the court.

One of the police officers told journalists that the president of the court called on the police to eject everyone out of the court, except the lawyers.

All the officers wore black masks and wielded heavy guns as they ejected supporters and journalists out of the court premises.

Igboho was said to have been brought into the court as early as 7am but only came into the prosecutor’s chambers without being seen by the public.

After eight hours in the court, the judge gave a recess, which started a few minutes before the police came.

Journalists, monarchs, and supporters who came to court for the case were barred from witnessing his hearing.

Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at an airport in Cotonou last week, and detained at the request of the Nigerian government.

His lawyers requested the release of his wife on the grounds that she had committed no offence against the Nigerian state.

On Thursday, the court answered the prayers and ordered her release and a return of her passport.

Igboho was taken to detention, where he has been up until Monday.

The charges against the Yoruba Nation activist border on arms smuggling, inciting violence and calling for a secession of the Yoruba from the Nigerian state.

Igboho and his lawyers have denied all allegations levelled against him.