Police arrest Human Rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over scuffle with UBA CEO
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
The Nigerian Police Force has reportedly arrested human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi following allegations of defaming Tony Elumelu, the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
The arrest was disclosed by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in a post on 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.
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“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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Farotimi had claimed that powerful individuals were colluding with security agencies to abduct him. He alleged that his life and the lives of his close associates were under threat in an effort to silence him.
In a statement signed by Farotimi and shared with journalists, he narrated the sequence of events leading to his arrest. He disclosed that on November 11, an invitation letter from Zone 2 Police Command was delivered to his office, requesting him to appear at the station on November 13 at 10:00 AM.
Farotimi complied, arriving at the station at 9:45 AM with his legal counsel. At the station, he was presented with a petition filed on behalf of Tony Elumelu, accusing him of defamation.
“Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content,” Farotimi stated. He added that after discussions with the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General at Zone 2, he was released on self-recognizance and asked to return on November 21, 2024.
Farotimi further alleged that the police attempted to coerce individuals associated with him. On November 16, he learned from Pastor Sam Aiyedogbon of Realm of Glory International Churches that another pastor, John Ntekume, had been abducted by police officers, interrogated, and forced to write a statement.
The officers reportedly showed Ntekume and another pastor, Obiorah Ochokwu, a petition written by Chief Afe Babalola and demanded they lure Farotimi to the church for his arrest. The pastors refused, explaining they had no direct relationship with Farotimi beyond his guest appearance at their church.
Farotimi expressed disbelief at the actions of the police, particularly as he had already complied with their invitation and was scheduled to return to Zone 2 for further discussions.
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked criticism, with activists like Sowore emphasising the misuse of law enforcement for personal grievances. The case has raised questions about the independence of Nigeria’s police force and the broader implications for human rights advocacy in the country.
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