Former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement have expressed anger and condemnation over the arrest of human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi, who was arrested allegedly based on a petition to the Inspector General of the Police, has been remanded in prison over alleged defamation after his arraignment at a Magistrates Court in Ekiti, yesterday.
Atiku described the arrest as a reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship in the country. He said it was “emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression.”
He said the offence ordinarily should not involve the law enforcement agency.
“I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offence that, under normal circumstances, should not warrant the involvement of law enforcement.
“The Police’s intervention in such matters 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, 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.
“Freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights. If anyone feels wronged by defamatory words, they are free to seek redress in the courts, not at the hands of the state’s enforcers.
“It is an appalling abuse of power to use the Police as a tool for personal vendettas. In 2019, I was defamed. I did not involve the Police to flex muscles and intimidate the defaming citizen, but I took the case to court where I am currently seeking relief for the injuries to my name and integrity. Therefore, I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.”
Mr. Obi described the arrest as a “gross misuse of police powers” and a “grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.”
He emphasised that defamation is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process, rather than involving the police. He also expressed concern that the arrest represents an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority and a worrying signal to Nigerians who value freedom of expression and demand accountability and transparency.
“I just learned of the arrest of @DeleFarotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation.
“This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.
“I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority .
“It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.
“The Nigeria Police Force exists to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them.
“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.
“I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognize that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power.
“A new, just and fair Nigeria is POssible.”
Reacting, the Obidient Movement, in a statement by its national coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the arrest and detention raised serious questions about the misuse of power and the suppression of freedom of speech in Nigeria and called for his immediate and unconditional release.
“This government inflicted pain on the Nigerian people by increasing the cost of fuel prices with impunity from N165 to N1,100k and above depending on one’s location, thereby increasing the cost of food items and other essential commodities directly linked to purchase of Premium motor spirit with absolutely nothing to show for it.
“Now people can no longer afford a square meal in a day not to talk of 3 square meals in their houses, Civil Servants are impoverished, the Nigeria people are living in total hunger with poverty increasing beyond measures.
“The Nigerian people are making frantic efforts to survive with no certainty of what tomorrow brings.
“In addition, they floated the Naira, increased the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar from the rate of $1 to N1,800 as the case may be which has trickle down effect in all purchases and consumption without being creative in trying to revamp, revive our industries, support Agriculture and boost the Economy.
“Businesses are collapsing due to cost of running them, start-up funds for SMEs are high with interest rate raised to 27.5%….where does this Administration wants the common man to face? Insecurity has skyrocketed due to hunger, malnutrition, our health sector is in total shambles to mention but a few.
“Similarly, the unprecedented increase in electricity tariff without the service to render had affected tremendously the economy and the living standard of the Nigerians.
“The purported tax reform which has a sinister motive will further impoverish the people without commensurate productive reform that can help the nation’s economy to thrive.
“There is hunger in the land, the so-called minimum wage for the Nigeria people cannot afford a bag of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil etc sadly but the bitter truth is that when salaries are paid, the money gets finished or spent in advance, in fact, most Civil/Public servants affirmed to me that their salaries last for just 48 hours while others claimed it extends to one weeks (7 Days) and they proceed to borrow from online loan lenders (loan shark), unfortunately, people can no longer take care of their basic needs, security, transportation to work, food, education and health are at the lowest ebb, in fact, most families with one or two children have decided to put a stop to procreation (child birth) due to the wanthom hardship.
“As a vocal advocate for human rights, Dele Farotimi has consistently spoken out against injustice and championed the rights of marginalized communities. His arrest appears to be a blatant attempt to silence him and intimidate others who dare to challenge the status quo.
“On this note, we unequivocally condemn this nefarious act of abuse of power and demand that the Nigerian Police respect Dele Farotimi’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in section 40 of chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“We urge the Nigerian authorities to ensure his immediate and unconditional release, guaranteeing that his rights are protected throughout the process.
“Failure to release him immediately, we shall invoke our fundamental rights as citizens to engage in a series of public protests across the country to challenge this gross abuse of power and neglect of the people.
“Furthermore, we call on the International Community to take note of this disturbing development and to stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and all those who are fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria.
“Finally, we are aware of the one by one arrest which is targeted towards the arrest of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi for speaking truth to power, we want to assure you that we will resist any form of cruelty and flagrant abuse of power against Mr Peter Obi.”
Earlier, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had also called for his release.
In a statement on Tuesday, Afam Osigwe, NBA president, said the arrest and invasion of Farotimi’s law firm constituted a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
“We must reiterate that the alleged offense of libel, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not recognized as a criminal offense under the laws of Lagos State.
“The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization 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.
“The Supreme Court in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor (2021) affirmed this position. Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, JSC, 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.
“Furthermore, under Sections 4 and 24 of the Police Act, 2020, the Nigerian Police Force is mandated to act only about 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.
“We, therefore, demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, as his arrest lacks any basis under the laws of Lagos State.
“The authorities must swiftly launch an investigation into the invasion of his law firm, with the findings made public and those responsible held accountable.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to prioritize the principles of legality, fairness, and respect for human rights in their operations.
“These principles are foundational to justice, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ freedoms,” the NBA said.
The fiery lawyer-activist was on Tuesday arrested at his office in Lagos by officers attached to the Ekiti police command following a petition over alleged defamation and cyber bullying.
Ekiti police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, confirmed that the command obtained a warrant of arrest against Farotimi.
Hours before his arrest, Farotimi had said at a press conference that security agents attached to the Ekiti Police command had perfected plans to abduct him from Lagos.
He accused the command of deploying questionable means to lure him for arrest despite honouring the invitation of the Zone 2 police headquarters in Lagos weeks ago.
Farotimi said he was questioned at the Zone 2 headquarters following a petition.
He said the police officers from Ekiti command were acting on another petition allegedly filed by Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Farotimi added that his comments about Babalola were in a book published in Lagos and not Ekiti.
He has been reportedly remanded in police custody following an order of a Magistrate Court in Ekiti.