Barring any last-minute change, Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, is set to return to Nigeria after four years in self-imposed exile following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers in the South West.
Igboho’s spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying arrangements for his return had been concluded after efforts by leading monarchs in the region, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, among others.
According to the statement, the intervention of the traditional rulers paved the way for Igboho to secure clearance from the Presidency, making him free to return to the country at any time and to be fully reintegrated upon arrival.
Koiki noted that the development marked the end of a prolonged period of exile that began on July 1, 2021, when operatives of the Department of State Services, alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army, raided Igboho’s residence in Ibadan over allegations of stockpiling arms and ammunition. During the operation, three of his aides were killed, while 13 others were arrested.
The statement recalled that following the raid, Igboho fled the country and later sought refuge in the Benin Republic, from where he attempted to travel to Germany. He was arrested on July 19, 2021, at the Cotonou Airport and detained for over a year before he was released in March 2022.
It added that Igboho had, in 2025, during a visit to the palace of the Olugbon of Orile Igbon in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, expressed concern over his continued stay in exile and appealed to the Tinubu administration to remove his name from the wanted list.
The statement further said that the immediate past administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari had declared the activist wanted, restricted his access to a Nigerian passport and froze his bank accounts, despite court judgments in his favour.
“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,” the statement 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.”
Koiki also conveyed Igboho’s appreciation to Tinubu, South West monarchs and Yoruba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora for their support throughout his ordeal.
