Igboho not a criminal — Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Monday said Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho is not a criminal and should not be haunted by the Federal Government.

He said rather, government should apologise to him for invading his Ibadan residence and declaring him wanted.

The Department of State Services (DSS) invaded Igboho’s Soka, Ibadan residence in a commando style in the middle of the night on Thursday last week, killing two people while the entire building and cars packed within were riddled bullets.

The DSS also declared Igboho wanted over alleged stockpiling of firearms to cause disruption in the country.

But, speaking in an interview with BBC, the Nobel laureate said it is not an offence anywhere to demand for secession.

He said the government also started the offensive on Igboho in a criminal manner.

“My advice to the government is that they should stop pursuing Igboho as a criminal because you have begun by acting in a criminal fashion against him.

“How can you place the wish for separation as a criminal act? The language does not exist in the constitution. It does not exist in law. It does not exist in the catalogue of immoralities.

“It is not an immoral act if you want to join another group,” he said.

According to him, every man is born free, adding that the right of people to secede or amalgamate is a basic right of existence.

“People are born free as individuals and communities. It is a fundamental principle of human existence,” he added

Prof. Soyinka also refused say whether Ighoho should surrender himself to the DSS.

He said, “If and when Igboho comes to trial, I guarantee you the government will be very embarrassed.

“I think they should tell Igboho ‘we made a mistake, we should not have acted in this way, you are no longer wanted, go back to your home,’ in fact, escort him to his home and let him resume his normal life.”