Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly deployed his African eminence to save his kinsman Sunday Igboho from being deported to Nigeria by the Beninise authorities.
The online newspaper, the Cable reported that Obasanjo was in Benin Republic in the first week of August.
According to the report, Obasanjo re-routed his return trip from Zanzibar to visit Benin, first to condole former President Nicephore Soglo, whose wife died.
The report also claimed Obasanjo met with President Patrice Talon to seek a soft landing for Yoruba nation agitator, Igboho.
“He’s asking the Beninise authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria.
“The former president intervened on the request of some south-west leaders.”
Igboho was arrested by Beninise security forces while attempting to flee to Germany, along with his wife, Ropo.
The Department of State Services (DSS) raided his residence in Oyo on July 1, killing two people and arresting 12 of his supporters.
Operatives of the agency also destroyed furniture and vehicles in the house.
Igboho has been in detention in Cotonou since his arrest.
An aide of Obasanjo confirmed the former president was in Benin Republic, the Cable said.
