The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) says it will explore all legal options to ensure a peaceful and united Nigeria.
Dr Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media to the AGF, Abubakar Malami SAN, stated this while responding to a question on whether the Yoruba Nation and Ilana Omo Oodua groups led by Sunday Igboho and Prof. Banji Akintoye could be proscribed like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Recall that the Department of State Services (DSS) invaded Igboho’s home on July 1.
Two of his associates were killed and 12 others arrested during the raid.
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The DSS claimed that its operatives recovered seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, one stun gun, 221 live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 1,295 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one jackknife and a walkie-talkie during the raid.
Igboho, who was not found during the raid, was subsequently declared wanted by the secret police.
On July 19, 2021, he was arrested alongside his wife, Ropo at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic by Interpol.
A Beninoise court ordered Ropo’s release and ordered Igboho’s remand in prison custody pending when further investigations would be carried out on the case against him.
The Yoruba Nation agitator is now seeking asylum in Benin Republic.
He is however facing allegations bordering on trafficking in arms, inciting violence and causing disunity in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Igboho’s associate and emeritus Professor of History, Prof. Banji Akintoye is presently in Benin Republic, where he said he has been working to secure Igboho’s freedom.
Before moving to Benin Republic, the 86-year-old scholar was said to have be under the radar of the security agencies that plotted to arrest him over his secessionist agitation.
Asked how far the Nigerian government had gone in its efforts to extradite Igboho, Gwandu said that the government could not publicise all its actions.
“The Federal Government is interested in having a peaceful Nigeria, so, all options cannot be ruled out, all options in order to have a peaceful and serene atmosphere in the country can be explored by the Federal Government,” he said.
Reacting specifically on whether the Federal Government would proscribe Igboho and Akintoye’s Yoruba Nation group, Gwandu said, “Whatever thing that is doable and possible within the context of the law in accordance with extant provisions of the law will be pursued. All options are available at the Federal Government’s end.”