The arrest and detention of human rights advocate Dele Farotimi is not merely a legal matter; it is a chilling reflection of the growing trend of authoritarianism under the current Nigerian administration. Farotimi’s arrest—executed with the heavy-handed tactics of the Ekiti State Police—is the latest in a long line of actions that have turned the Nigerian state’s security apparatus into a weapon against its own citizens. The circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s detention, particularly the Gestapo-style manner in which he was apprehended, are not just troubling; they are indicative of a disturbing pattern of political intimidation, legal overreach, and the systematic silencing of dissenting voices.
It is impossible to ignore the political undertones of this arrest. Farotimi, a vocal critic of government corruption and the state of Nigeria’s judiciary, has long used his platform to challenge the powers that be. His criticism, particularly against figures like the influential lawyer Afe Babalola, has now led to this grotesque abuse of state power. What began as a legal dispute over alleged defamation has spiraled into an assault on the very fabric of Nigeria’s democracy. The charges against Farotimi—16 counts of defamation, despite Lagos State law having decriminalized defamation—reveal a deliberate disregard for due process and a contempt for the sanctity of the law. It is telling that the police did not detain Farotimi in Lagos, where the alleged crime took place, but instead transported him forcibly to Ekiti State, bypassing the legal framework that governs the jurisdictional limits of law enforcement. This suggests a complete disregard for constitutional safeguards and the rule of law.
Equally disturbing is the manner in which the arrest was carried out. Reports indicate that Farotimi was seized without warning, his movements coordinated by the police in a manner that mirrored the tactics of criminal abductions. Such behavior not only violates basic human rights but also reveals the growing militarization of law enforcement under the current presidency of Bola Tinubu. If this can happen to an activist with the visibility and resources to resist, one can only imagine the fate of the average Nigerian citizen without the means to challenge such state-sanctioned violence.
But it is not only the police that bear responsibility for this travesty. The judiciary, too, is complicit in enabling this abuse of power. The swift denial of bail, coupled with the apparent disregard for legal precedents—such as the decriminalization of defamation in Lagos—points to a judiciary that is either unable or unwilling to uphold its own rulings. The fact that Farotimi was detained under these dubious circumstances calls into question the integrity of the judicial process in Nigeria. What message does this send about the fairness and impartiality of the Nigerian legal system?
At the heart of this issue is a deepening erosion of public trust in Nigeria’s institutions. The actions of the Ekiti police and the judiciary represent a betrayal of the values enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. They show a country where power is not exercised as a public trust, but as an instrument of political control. Under President Bola Tinubu, these abuses have reached new heights, as state power has been increasingly turned against critics and dissidents. The incident is emblematic of the broader trend of human rights violations that have plagued Nigeria under the current regime, as security forces routinely treat citizens as threats to the state rather than as rights-bearing individuals. This increasingly militarized approach to governance has created an atmosphere of fear and repression, where free speech is stifled and dissent is met with violent repression.
The involvement of Afe Babalola in this case only adds another layer of concern. Babalola, a man known for his legal acumen and political connections, is no stranger to the inner circles of the Nigerian state. It is hard to ignore the optics of the situation: a rich, powerful lawyer leveraging his influence to silence a critic through the coercive power of the state. Babalola’s silence on the manner in which the police have conducted themselves in this case is deafening. His failure to condemn the Gestapo-style tactics employed by the police risks tarnishing his long-held reputation as a notable lawyer. The chilling effect of this incident cannot be overstated; it underscores the dangers of allowing powerful individuals to use the state’s machinery for personal vendettas.
More than just a case of one man’s unlawful arrest, this incident is a warning sign of a nation on the brink of a deeper crisis. The Nigerian state is increasingly becoming a vehicle for the powerful to oppress the powerless, and the unchecked abuse of state authority is causing irreparable damage to the country’s democratic institutions. As this case unfolds, the actions of the Nigerian authorities are eroding the trust of ordinary citizens in their government and its institutions. If unchecked, this pattern of abuses could lead to widespread social disorder, as the disenfranchised masses—already disillusioned with a system that fails to serve their needs—begin to view the state as an enemy rather than a protector.
The Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups, and human rights organizations have rightly condemned the arrest of Farotimi. But condemnation alone will not suffice. There must be a concerted effort to address the underlying problems that have allowed such abuses to flourish. The Nigerian police must be held accountable for their actions, and the judiciary must be reformed to ensure that it is no longer a tool of political repression. Most importantly, the Nigerian public must resist the normalization of such authoritarian practices. If this incident is allowed to pass without consequence, it will send a dangerous message to the government and law enforcement agencies that such actions are acceptable.
This is a moment of reckoning for Nigeria. The international community is watching, and Nigerians must demand nothing less than the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, an end to the misuse of state power, and a return to the rule of law. The path to justice is not always easy, but it is the only path that will preserve the dignity of the Nigerian people and the integrity of their country.
