Victor EzejaFormer Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 election, Peter Obi, have condemned the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Atiku said the incident is a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship in Nigeria, marked by the rule with iron fist and suppression of freedom of expression and association.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAtiku, in a statement shared on his official X handle on Wednesday, said the arrest and detention of Dele Farotimi reflects Bola Tinubu administration’s “insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression.”
Prime Business Africa reports that Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by police officers from Ekiti State Command.
The arrest followed a petition against Farotimi by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), who was said to have alleged defamation of his character.
According to Atiku, the aim is to intimidate and harass citizens, and the press, particularly those with dissenting voices, and gradually achieve a state capture.
The former vice president warned the Tinubu administration that such repeated acts of arrest and crack down on dissenting voices contradict the principles of democracy which it swore to uphold.
He pointed out that a case of defamation does not warrant police intervention, adding that “it is nothing less than the use of a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions.”
“This alarming trend, particularly the recent abduction — or rather, the arrest — of Dele Farotimi,” he said, “is emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression.
“The aim is clear: to intimidate and harass citizens, particularly those who oppose the regime and the press, thus paving the way for the establishment of a one-party state.
“It is imperative to remind the Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy.”
Atiku emphasised that freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally guaranteed rights, adding that anyone who feels defamed can seek redress in court, not using state law enforcement agents to hound their opponents.
He described the use of police to settle person scores as “abuse of power”,
Atiku stated that when he was defamed in 2019, he did not involve the Police to intimidate the offender, but took the case to court where he is currently seeking reliefs for the injuries to his name and integrity.
He therefore called for “the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.”
The human rights lawyer’s arrest and detention has continued to generate reactions from Nigerians and human rights groups.
Amnesty International Nigeria and the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned the arrest and called for his immediate and unconditional release.
Mr Obi, while reacting to the news of the arrest, said it is a gross abuse of police powers and “a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.”
He observed that the action is a worrying signal of an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authorities and demanding accountability and transparency.
Obi reminded the Nigeria Police that their primary duty is to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them by being used by those in the corridors of power for personal interest.
He also argued that the case of defamation is a civil matter that requires seeking redress in court not using police to descend on the alleged offender.
“Defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.
“As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others.
“Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponizing the police or abusing their access to authority or state power.
“The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force,” Obi stated.
While calling for immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi , the former Anambra State governor said the police must recognise that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, “not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power.”
On its part, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the action constitutes a breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
While acknowledging that the Police has the authority to investigate crimes, it stated that this power must be exercised in line with provisions of the law and in “respect of offenses recognised under Nigerian law.”
NBA argued that that the alleged offense of defamation, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not recognised as a criminal offense under the laws of Lagos State. “The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalisation of defamation by omitting it from its provisions. This progressive legislative move aligns with global best practices, which treat defamation as a civil wrong rather than a criminal offense,” it explained.
The group cited a case between Aviomoh and Commissioner of Police & Anor (2021) decided a in the Supreme Court which affirmed the position. It said the apex court unequivocally held that defamation ceased to be a criminal offense in Lagos State following the enactment of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. “This authoritative pronouncement leaves no room for doubt,” it added.
It further stated that under Sections 4 and 24 of the Police Act, 2020, the Nigerian Police Force is mandated to act only on conduct that constitutes a criminal offense under Nigerian law. “Arresting individuals for non-criminal matters, such as defamation in Lagos State, is not only unlawful but also a blatant violation of the principles of legality and the rule of law,” it declared.
In the statement signed by its national president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, NBA also condemned what is called “invasion” of Dele Farotimi’s law firm and the alleged harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises.
“The legal profession is a cornerstone of justice and democracy, and any attempt to undermine its independence is a direct assault on the rule of law.
While demanding the human rights lawyer’s released, NBA charged the authorities to “launch an investigation into the invasion.”
Ekiti Court Remands Farotimi
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has remanded Farotimi.
The activist was arraigned on a 16-count charge by the police on Wednesday, but he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Counsel to Farotimi, Dayo Akeredolu, who opposed the request for remand of the embattled activist, had applied for bail.
However, the court magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, rejected the bail application and ordered that Farotimi be remanded in prison custody till December 10.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
