Olayomi Koiki, spokesman for embattled Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, says all arrangements have been concluded for his principal’s return to Nigeria after prominent monarchs persuaded President Bola Tinubu to remove Igboho’s name from the list of wanted persons.

According to Koiki, the traditional rulers who intervened include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.

Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, following a raid on his Ibadan residence by a combined team of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army over allegations of stockpiling arms and ammunition. The raid came amid Igboho’s campaign to evict armed Fulani herdsmen from the South-West in response to attacks on farmers.

During the raid, three of his aides were killed and 13 others were arrested. Igboho fled to Benin Republic, intending to fly to Germany, but was arrested at Cotonou Airport on July 19, 2021, and detained for over a year before being released in March 2022.

Under the previous administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Igboho was declared wanted, denied a Nigerian passport, and had his bank accounts frozen despite favourable court rulings.

In 2025, during a visit to the Olugbon Palace in Orile Igbon, Surulere Local Government of Oyo State, Igboho expressed frustration at living in exile and appealed to President Tinubu’s administration to remove his name from the wanted list. He also made the appeal to the Olubadan, Oba Ladoja.

Koiki said in a Sunday statement that Igboho has now been cleared by the Presidency and “may return to the country at any moment and will be fully reintegrated after his clearance has been granted.”

The announcement followed a visit by the Olubadan to President Tinubu at Aso Rock, Abuja.

“This is a moment of joy for Ibadanland and Yorubaland as a whole. Chief Adeyemo is now cleared to return to Nigeria and is no longer being sought by government authorities,” Koiki said.

“With the support of our royal fathers—the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Ooni of Ife, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, and others—Chief Sunday Adeyemo is now free to return home. He is a free man and will soon be back in Ibadan,” he added.

The statement also conveyed Igboho’s gratitude to President Tinubu, the South-West monarchs, and Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide for their support throughout his ordeal. PUNCH)

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