Nigeria Government Links Yoruba Separatist Igboho to Boko Haram’s Sponsor

Nigeria’s federal government on Friday said it had established a link between Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, and a Boko Haram sponsor, Surajo Muhammad, who was jailed in the United Arab Emirates on charges of financing terrorism.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made these allegations while unveiling the findings of a Presidential Committee set up to investigate Kanu and Ighoho.

The 24-member committee, headed by Malami, had representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The Committee also claimed to have established a link between Igboho, and the convicted Boko Haram sponsor, Surajo Muhammad.

Government further alleged that between 2013 and 2020, Igboho received N127 million from several financiers, including a federal lawmaker. The government refused to reveal the identity of the lawmaker.

Malami said, “The report revealed that Sunday Igboho is a Director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited registered on April 23, 2010. Adesun International Concept Limited also has Oladele Oyetunji and Aderopo Adeyemo as directors. Sunday Igboho is linked to 43 bank accounts in nine banks.

“The major financier of the fugitive and separatists was found to be a federal lawmaker in the National Assembly. A total sum of N127,145,000 was received by Igboho from his financiers between October 22, 2013, and September 28, 2020, through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts.

“A total sum of N273,198,200 transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between March 15, 2013, and March 11, 2021. Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of N12,750,000 to Abbal Bako & Sons.”

The AGF noted that Abbal Bako and Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Usman, “are suspects” in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation.

“Abdullahi 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,” Malami said.

Malami stated that having received the reports, the federal government “remains solute” in its determination to have a peaceful Nigeria.

“The federal government will do the needful, within the context of the legal provisions, in ensuring that the matter is given the deserved attention and those found guilty will be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Deji Elumoye and Alex Enumah in Abuja

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