Dele Farotimi, a prominent Nigerian human rights advocate, was arrested by the Ekiti State Police on Tuesday at his office in Lagos, sparking a wave of protests from legal experts, politicians, and civil society organizations. Farotimi is facing charges of defamation and cyberbullying linked to a petition filed by prominent lawyer Afe Babalola, after comments made by Farotimi in a book published in Lagos.
According to Ekiti State police spokesperson Sunday Abutu, the Ekiti police obtained an arrest warrant for Farotimi over allegations of libel. Farotimi was subsequently transported to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned in court on Wednesday, facing 16 counts of defamation. The activist, however, pleaded not guilty.
Farotimi had previously expressed concerns over the manner of his arrest, claiming that police officers from the Ekiti command were attempting to abduct him. He also emphasized that he had previously cooperated with the Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Lagos, where he was questioned about similar allegations. His comments about Afe Babalola were made in a book published in Lagos, not in Ekiti, raising questions about the jurisdiction of the charges.
The arrest has provoked widespread condemnation. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for Farotimi's immediate release, arguing that defamation is no longer a criminal offense under Lagos State law. In a statement, NBA President Afam Osigwe pointed out that the Criminal Law of Lagos State, as amended in 2011, decriminalized defamation, affirming that the charges against Farotimi are baseless under the state’s legal framework.
"This troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession must not stand," Osigwe said, urging the authorities to investigate the police's actions and hold those responsible accountable.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the arrest, describing it as a “grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship.” He argued that the use of police power to address civil disputes, like defamation, was an overreach that undermined free speech and democracy. Atiku added that citizens should seek redress for defamation in court, not through the state’s security apparatus.
Femi Falana, a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, echoed similar concerns, stating that Lagos State had long decriminalized defamation, a position affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2021. He demanded Farotimi's unconditional release, calling the arrest an abuse of power and a violation of citizens’ rights.
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, also condemned the arrest, describing it as a misuse of police powers and an assault on democratic liberties. Obi emphasized that the right to free speech is constitutionally protected, and such actions are a worrying sign for the future of democracy in Nigeria.
The non-governmental organization Electoral College Nigeria (ECN) also weighed in, calling the arrest and detention a clear misuse of state power to intimidate and silence voices of dissent. ECN executive director Kunle Lawal expressed concern that such actions are undermining democratic values and eroding the rule of law.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many Nigerians are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi, stressing that his case is not just about one individual, but about safeguarding the broader principles of democracy and justice in the country.
