Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-political organization, held a world press conference yesterday to raise alarm over the abduction, detention, and violations of the constitutional rights of Dele Farotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and member of the group. The organization decried what it called an unjust and unlawful treatment of Farotimi by the Nigerian Police and legal authorities, which it described as a significant blow to Nigeria’s democracy, free speech, and personal liberty.

Farotimi, a vocal advocate for civil rights, was arrested under contentious circumstances on December 3, 2024, when plainclothes officers reportedly stormed his office in Lagos. Eyewitnesses recounted a chaotic scene as police officers, armed and unannounced, forced their way past staff and confiscated their phones, before taking Farotimi into custody.

Afenifere’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, detailed the sequence of events, noting that the arrest followed an earlier invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command on November 11, which Farotimi had complied with. He had been questioned in relation to a defamation petition filed by Tony Elumelu, the chairman of UBA Group, over comments allegedly made by Farotimi.

Despite being told that he was the subject of a defamation case in Ekiti State, Farotimi’s whereabouts were initially unknown after his arrest. The Ekiti State Police Command later confirmed that they were holding him on charges of defamation and cyberstalking. However, the organization highlighted the irregularities of his detention, noting that Farotimi had been transported from Lagos to Ekiti without following proper legal protocols or informing his family or legal representatives.

Afenifere raised serious concerns about the practice of “rendering” suspects—transporting them across state lines for questioning or trial without proper legal documentation or prior notification to family members, a practice it said undermines the rule of law and often causes undue hardship for families who are left in the dark about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

On December 4, Farotimi was arraigned in Ado-Ekiti, where he faced 16 counts of criminal libel. Despite the offense being bailable, the presiding Magistrate refused to consider his bail application, insisting on a written request. The matter was adjourned until December 10 for further consideration. However, Afenifere criticized the handling of the case, pointing out that the charges were unfounded and that the legal proceedings were politically motivated.

Further compounding the situation, the Nigerian Inspector General of Police filed additional charges of cyberstalking and cyberbullying against Farotimi, which were presented in a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti. Afenifere condemned the use of handcuffs in Farotimi’s court appearance, which it called an unnecessary act of humiliation for an individual known to be non-violent and not a flight risk.

The organization also drew attention to the failure of the court to address a critical preliminary objection raised by Farotimi’s legal team, which pointed out that the charges against him were not recognized under the laws of either Ekiti or Lagos States. Despite this, the Magistrate went ahead with the adjournment, further detaining Farotimi until the next court session on December 20.

In a stern statement, Afenifere condemned the actions of the Nigerian Police and the judiciary, accusing them of operating under extrajudicial and political pressures. The organization reiterated that Farotimi, like any accused person, should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and his rights must be respected throughout the legal process.

“Afenifere calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.

“We demand a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his abduction and unlawful detention. This case is not just about Farotimi; it represents a watershed moment in the ongoing struggle for justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Nigeria.”

The group also expressed concerns about the broader implications of the case for free speech and democracy in Nigeria, with many seeing it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices critical of the government and powerful figures.

As of now, Farotimi remains in custody, awaiting the next court session on December 20, 2024.