Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho is looking at 21 years in prison in Cotonou, Benin Republic if found guilty of possessing a fake passport, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.
It will be recalled that Igboho was arrested alongside his wife, Ropo on Monday in Benin Republic while attempting to flee to Germany. Igboho is wanted by the Nigerian Government after a DSS raid on his Soka residence in Ibadan turned up a large cache of deadly assault rifles, ammunition, bloody charms and fake passports.
On July 9, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that Igboho had been placed on stop-list.
Subsequently thePolice, Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were alerted that Igboho was ‘shopping’ for a passport to facilitate his escape from the country. On learning of the development, Igboho alternatively sought for a fake Beninoise passport but was nabbed by eagle-eyed airport officials.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba, a lawmaker in Benin, Mr. Tolulase revealed that Igboho’s situation was ‘bad’.
He said; “On this passport issue, take me for instance, I’m from Benin but married an Ijebu woman. We have five kids. She gave birth to two in Nigeria, three in Benin. Only the three have Beninese passport, the two others and my wife do not have. She can only apply if we marry legally in Benin.”
“Even after the court wedding, the passport is not issued immediately. She will wait for some years and must go through the processes. The first thing you must have is National Identity Card. Now, if you’re not a citizen, the only way you can get a passport is if you legally marry a Beninoise.”
“You can see it’s not easy. So, if you procure a fake one, you’ll be uncovered because you don’t have a National Identity Card. The details are linked. The card must have a family name. About three to five of your relatives must confirm to the government they know you and your early years.
“It is after they testify that the court will issue the card, which can then be used to apply for a passport. If such is doctored, the punishment is 21 years imprisonment. It’s a serious offence.”
He also revealed that the Beninoise government has commenced a serious investigation to find out how Igboho procured the passport.
God is good
May Allah save us from our selfish leaders.
21 years drinking tea?. Which type of prison be that?. Make una just released am better now. I beg release am ooooo.