Arrest of Farotimi is gross misuse of police powers — Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Mr Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi by the Ekiti State police command on Tuesday.

Obi in a statement said the action of the police amount to gross misuse of powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.

The former governor of Anambra State noted that it was an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority.

“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”, the statement partly reads.

Speaking further in the statement, Obi said defamation is a civil matter and should be addressed in court through due legal process.

“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!”, he added.

NewsBand reported that Mr Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti state police command.

The fiery activist is being prosecuted on a 16-court charge of defamation of character against a legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola SAN.

Farotimi is accused of defaming Babalola in his recently published book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, during his arraignment in court on Wednesday, 4 December, 2024, Dele Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen count charge.

Police prosecutor, Samson Osun called for the remand of the suspect in prison custody pending further investigation and it’s outcome for the maintenance of security in the country.

Counsel to the defendant, Dayo Akeredolu opposed the remand call and pleaded with the court to admit the defendant to bail on very liberal terms and on self recognisance because the case at hand is bailable and the suspect is a known figure who is not constituting any threat.

He said the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun remanded the suspect in prison custody and adjourned the case till December 10.

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