Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Peter Obi, also the 2023 presidential flag bearer of Labour Party, Oby Ezekwesili an ex-minister, Deji Adeyanju, a renowned lawyer, Aisha Yesufu and many more are leading an online campaign for the release of Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi
Farotimi was arrested today in Lagos.
The respected Human Rights lawyer is accused of defamation.
Making the FIRST SOS call concerning Farotimi’s arrest earlier today on X, Sowore had tweeted;
“I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him. It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation. Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
Coming back to give an update, he wrote;
”I just spoke with Kunle Akinwale, the Commissioner of
@PoliceNG Ekiti State Command. He admits that they arrested
@DeleFarotimi and that he’s being driven from Lagos to Ekiti by road. I told him categorically that this constituted an abuse of @PoliceNG’s powers and that this was a civil case that ought not to have warranted police intervention.
When he admitted to me that they were driving him from Lagos, I asked him repeatedly, “ Did he kill someone?”
He even said he was still under investigation for “cybercrime.” this illegal arrest was staged by one of Nigeria’s most senior lawyers, Afe Babalola SAN
This is just despicable.
#FreeDeleFarotimi Now!”
On Peter Obi’s part, he tweeted
”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 more Just and fair Nigeria is possible!
-PO”
Mr Adeyanju also lent his voice saying;
”The attack on free speech in Nigeria is life threatening. There’s no freedom of speech in Nigeria. It’s embarrassing that in 2024, the colonial masters criminal defamation law still been used to harass citizens.”
Oby Ezekwesili tweeted;
”Just read the disturbing news on the great #ActiveCitizen
@DeleFarotimi. Has the @PoliceNG made a statement yet on what they know or have leant about his whereabouts?
Dele speaks the mind of majority of the Nigerian citizens every time he speaks “Truth to Power”.
His right to continue to keep government accountable in all its dealings must be protected.
I advise the IGP to ask his officers to provide an update on Mr Farotimi and secure his release urgently.”
Aisha Yesufu on her part wrote;
”Nobody has monopoly of violence. That we are law abiding should not be taken for weakness.
They forgive and rehabilitate terrorists while attacking citizens who dare to have voices
#FreeDeleFarotimiNow”
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