Various political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, along with Civil Society groups like the Obidient Movement, have strongly criticised the police action over the arrest and detention of Human Rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi. Farotimi’s arrest came from a defamation petition allegedly filed by renowned lawyer Afe Babalola, who accused Farotimi of tarnishing his reputation in a recently published book. Farotimi, known for his vocal stance against social injustice and human rights violations, was apprehended at his Lagos office and taken to Ekiti State. After being attacked before a Magistrate Court, he was remanded in custody until December 10.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the arrest, describing it as a total reminder of the nation’s military dictatorship era. He argued that the police’s involvement in defamation matters, which should be addressed through civil proceedings, is an overreach of state power. Atiku warned that such actions threaten the country’s democratic foundations and set a dangerous precedent for suppressing freedom of expression. Likewise, Labour Party’s Peter Obi voiced these sentiments, denouncing the arrest as grossly misusing police authority. He noted that defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter and criticised law enforcement’s use to intimidate opposing voices.
Obidient Movement threatens nationwide protests over the detention.
Obi emphasised the need for due process and fairness, stressing that the police should protect citizens’ rights rather than be tools for silencing dissent. The Obidient Movement, comprising supporters of Peter Obi, expressed concern over the matter, calling it a total abuse of power. In a statement, the movement warned that failure to release the activist unconditionally would result in nationwide protests. The group accused the government of stifling dissent and using state machinery to target critics. The movement also linked the arrest to socio-economic challenges in the country. It criticised the government for increasing fuel prices, depreciating the naira, and implementing policies that have increased Poverty and hunger.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also criticised the police for their involvement in a matter outside their jurisdiction. NBA President Afam Osigwe noted that defamation is no longer a criminal offence in Lagos State after the implementation of the Criminal Law of Lagos State in 2011. The association cited a 2021 Supreme Court ruling affirming that defamation should be treated as a civil wrong. The NBA called his arrest a violation of the Rule of Law and demanded an immediate investigation into police officers’ invasion of his law firm.
Immediate action was urged from law enforcement.
Furthermore, the association emphasised the need for Law Enforcement Agencies to operate within legality, fairness, and respect for human rights. The public outcry over the lawyer’s detention reflects concerns about the state of civil liberties in the country. Activists and legal experts argue that the government’s increasing use of state institutions to target critics and dissenting voices threatens the country’s democracy. Critics point to other recent cases of intimidation and harassment as evidence of a growing trend of repression.
On the other hand, the Obidient Movement’s statement underscored the socio-economic conditions facing Nigerians, linking these hardships to the government’s alleged lack of accountability. The group argued that suppressing voices like Farotimi’s further undermines the country’s prospects for justice and progress. As the December 10 court hearing approaches, pressure is mounting on the authorities to release Farotimi and address the concerns raised by his detention. Atiku, Obi, and the Obidient Movement have all called for his immediate and unconditional release, emphasising that his detention lacks legal and moral justification.
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Lastly, his case has become a test of the country’s commitment to upholding democratic values and the rule of law. The widespread condemnation highlights the need for government institutions to act in the public’s interest rather than serving as tools for silencing opposition. The situation remains tense, with civil society groups and political leaders rallying around his cause. As protests loom and international attention grows, the outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for the nation’s democracy and the fight for human rights.