…as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana kick
By our Reporters
The last may not have been heard about the arrest yesterday, arraignment today and remand in Ekiti state, of a rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi reportedly on grounds of defamation and libel.
Many Nigerians have come out to condemn the treatment meted out to Farotimi who is also the author of the book entitled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.
Commenting on the arrest, a Nigerian scholar and businessman, Prof Pat Utomi, while condemning it, said similar actions led them to call for international sanctions against the late General Sanni Abacha-led junta adding “It seems we are ready for that again”.
Prof Utomi said “I receive with much sadness the news of the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a strong voice for Democracy in Nigeria. As one who survived assassination attempts under Abacha I know where this points to no matter the excuses, all be it civil and not criminal, that are being thrown up for his arrest.
Such actions led us to call for international sanctions which made the regime a pariah. It seems we are ready for that again. George Santayana warned that those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
Also condemning on the arrest, a former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described it as a grim reminder of military dictatorship.
He said “The arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, @DeleFarotimi, is unequivocally condemned. It serves as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent. I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offense 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 reliefs for the injuries to my name and integrity. Therefore, I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi”.
For the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, the speed with which the rights lawyer’s issue was handled by the police was curious.
Peter Obi said “The handling of the case involving human rights lawyer @DeleFarotomi runs foul of every Democratic norm that guarantees freedom of expression and innocence until found guilty before a law court.
It’s curious that the Nigeria Police, who are struggling with a barrage of crimes all over the place, now indulge in civil cases on half complaints and rush to court at the speed of light.
Hearing that Dele Farotimi has been remanded in prison over an allegation of defamation is very disturbing. This development raises serious concerns about the state of justice and freedom of expression in our country, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the alarming rise in criminal activities across the nation.
“At a time when national efforts should be directed toward addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges, it is disheartening to see the focus shifted to cases that appear to stifle critical voices.
Matters of defamation are civil and should be treated as such, not turned into a tool for intimidation or the erosion of fundamental rights.
The strength of any democracy lies in its ability to tolerate differing opinions and uphold the rule of law without bias.
I once again call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served impartially and to prioritize the urgent task of combating the real threats plaguing our nation”.
On his part, human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, noted that, Farotimi’s arrest is illegal and constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights. He said that the Nigerian government must take immediate action to address this situation and ensure that justice is served, before it gets out of hand.