Terrorism sponsor allegation: ‘Who is now financing who? Igboho asks AGF Malami

Leader of pro-secession group, Yoruba Nation and activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), has told Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, that as a businessman, he cannot determine those who bring businesses to him to know their sources of funds.

Responding to allegations of being funded by a now convicted terrorism sponsor brought by the Minister, Igboho, in a statement through his counsel, Chief Yomi Aliu, Friday, asked the AGF Malami to determine who then is sponsoring the mentioned convicted terrorism sponsors that the AGF had linked his company’s accounts to, insisting that he (Igboho) remains a businessman and not a terrorist.

This is also the activist challenged the AGF Malami to name the particular lawmaker he claimed was his major financier.

It would be recalled that the minister had while addressing a press conference in his office, Friday,  alleged that bank statements of Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) were involved in transactions with an already convicted sponsor of the Boko Haram terror group.

Malami further disclosed that the terror sponsor is already serving jail term in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on charges of funding activities of the Boko Haram group.

The minister also alleged that Igboho’s major sponsor was found to be a lawmaker at the national assembly, though he failed to mention the name of the financier.

Malami said that a committee set up by the Federal Government unravelled how Igboho received funds from 43 bank accounts, across nine banks.

“The Federal Government has received the report on financers of Adeniyi Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho. The report revealed that Sunday Igboho is a Director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on 23rd April, 2010.

“Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as Directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in 9 banks.

“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a Federal Law Maker in the National Assembly. A total sum of ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN MILLION, ONE AND FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND NAIRA ONLY (N127, 145,000.00) was received by Igboho from his financiers between 22nd October, 2013 and 28th September, 2020 through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.

“A total sum of TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE MILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHT THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED NAIRA ONLY (N273,198,200.00) transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between 15th March, 2013 and 11 the March, 2021.

“Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of twelve million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N12, 750,000) to Abbal Bako & Sons.

“It might be recalled that Abbal Bako & Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Umar Usman are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation. Abdullahi Umar Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to SURAJO ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism [Boko Haram]).

“This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country.

“The report found connections of financial transaction between Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses among others.”

However, responding to the claims by the AGF Malami, Igboho accused the minister of trying to paint a picture of him as a terrorist or terrorism financier.

“The picture the AGF wanted to paint is that our client is being financed by Abdullah Umar, allegedly involved in terrorist financing. Who is now financing who?

“Again, Chief Adeyemo is a car dealer trading in the name of Adesun International Concept Ltd. Does it mean that anybody buying a car from him or selling a car to him is a terrorist?

“I challenge the Hon AGF to mention the lawmaker that sent money to Chief Sunday Adeyemo for terrorist act whether he would not be damnified in exemplary damages for defamation,” the statement issued by Igboho’s counsel read in parts.

Igboho is currently under the custody of authorities of Benin Republic after he was arrested while attempting to board a flight to France after a raid on his residence by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Igboho has already defeated the DSS in the courts, as a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, recently ruled that the raid carried by the DSS was illegal and also awarding costs to the activist.

DSS releases two remaining associates of Igboho

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) has finally freed two associates of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo, in its custody, Friday, October 22.

This was confirmed by their lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

The associates; Amudat Babatunde Abibat (aka Lady K) and Jamiu Noah Oyetunji, were among 12 persons arrested when DSS operatives stormed the residence of Igboho in Oyo State on July 1, this year.

One of Igboho’s associates was, however killed in the midnight raid by the DSS. And while the rest taken away by the security operatives have been released, only Lady K and Oyetunji had remained in the DSS custody since the July raid.

According to the DSS, Igboho had stockpiled arms in his residence over his secessionist agitation.

Olajengbesi in a terse statement on Friday, said while the matter is still a subject of litigation, they shall have no further comment on it for now.