Atiku condemns arrest of human rights lawyer, Barr. Farotimi, for alleged defamation
Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi.
The Nigerian Police Force, on Tuesday, arrested Farotimi following allegations of defamation against Tony Elumelu, the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Speaking on the incident, Atiku said the arrest of Barrister Farotimi serves as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship, where the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent.
He said, “I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation offences 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.
Read also: Police arrest Human Rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over scuffle with UBA CEO
“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,” he said.
Neptune Prime reports that the arrest of Barrister Farotimi was disclosed by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), via his X account on Tuesday.
Sowore revealed that Elumelu had filed a petition accusing Farotimi of defamation and called for the lawyer’s immediate release.
Sowore stated, “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.”
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