The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has mocked Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, who is currently facing prosecution in Benin Republic.
Mohammed is currently in the United States to meet with international media organisations and think tanks on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and efforts made so far in tackling insurgency, banditry, and all forms of criminality.
However, reports circulated on social media that the minister sneaked out of Nigeria for secret negotiations with officials of Twitter, whose operation is currently suspended in the country.
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Reacting, Mohammed denied sneaking out of the country, and alluded to Igboho, who was arrested in Benin Republic alongside his wife, Ropo, as they both tried to board a plane to Germany.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had declared the Yoruba Nation agitator wanted following a July 1 raid on his Ibadan home, where two of his associates were killed and many more arrested.
Igboho is still facing prosecution in the neighbouring West African nation amid concerns that he could be extradited to Nigeria to answer for terrorism-relation charges.
Speaking on rumour that he sneaked out of Nigeria, Mohammed said, “Can a minister sneak out of Nigeria without people knowing.
“When you say I sneaked out of Nigeria, are you saying I went to board at a terminal where nobody is or I travel to Republic of Benin to fly out of the country.
“I was at an international airport, where I presented myself openly and I was checked in at the counter like every other travelers of the airline.
“I boarded and passed through the checks by the Immigration service and Customs.
“How can you come and say I sneaked out of the country?”