Home Invasion: Court Orders FG To Pay Igboho N20bn
- As exemplary and aggravated damages
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the Federal Government to pay the sum of N20 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages to Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho, over security operatives’ invasion of his residence.
Also, the Court granted N2 million as cost for the thorough process to Chief Yomi Aliyu (SAN), the lead counsel to Chief Adeyemo. The learned Silk had initially asked the court to grant him a N10 million cost against the Federal Government.
In his ruling, Justice Ladiran Akintola declared as illegal the raid conducted by the Department of State Service (DSS) on Igboho’s residence in Ibadan.
Justice Akintola described DSS’ action as “arbitrary aggression and prejudices” against the self-determination exponent still being held in detention by authorities in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
His country home in the Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was invaded by DSS operatives on July 1, 2021, at about 1:30 am. In that raid, 12 of Igboho’s aides and associates were nabbed while he managed to evade arrest only to resurface in the Benin Republic.
Angered by the invasion, Chief Igboho sued the Federal Government and urged the court to order the respondents to jointly pay him the sum of ₦500 million as special damages for the damage done to his house and his cars.
He also demanded another ₦500 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages for beaching his fundamental rights with the malicious invasion of his house as well as an order directing the Federal Government and the other respondents to tender a public apology in two national dailies.
Meanwhile, the fugitive Igboho has cautioned his followers against the indiscriminate use of his name to stage protests and demonstrations.
A statement by his lead counsel, Yomi Aliyu (SAN) said that on no account should anybody attack any public place or security personnel on the pretense of agitating for the Yoruba Nation.
The statement said; “There is time for everything. Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho Oosa, is desirous of respecting those murdered in his house on that black July 1, 2021. In that wise, he has advised against staging any demonstration or rally in his name for the time being.
“He will also like people to respect his family by not calling his mum out for anything public. Igboho for now has no authentic mouthpiece anywhere. In that wise, people are advised to take anything said by anybody claiming to be from him, with a pinch of salt.”
The embattled Igboho however said; “The exception is the statement by his lead counsel. Let’s respect the dead.”
“On no account should anybody attack any public place or security personnel on the pretence of agitating for the Yoruba Nation”, the statement cautioned.
