Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical movement Afenifere have sharply condemned the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi by police.
Farotimi, who was seized by police in Ekiti State on Monday and brought to Ado Ekiti for arraignment, is accused of character defamation in connection with his book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”.
In the book, Farotimi claimed, among other things, that eminent lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) had compromised the Supreme Court.
He was also accused of cyberbullying and defamation, and the police filed 16 counts against him.
On Wednesday, an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Abayomi Adeosun ordered Farotimi’s remand in the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre, adjourning the case till December 10, 2024.
The Chief Magistrate chastised the defendant’s counsel for relying on previous court decisions instead of presenting new evidence in defence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku denounced Farotimi’s detention, comparing it to oppressive techniques used during the military rule era.
He criticised the police’s involvement as an overreach and an attempt to suppress free speech.
“The arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, is unequivocally condemned. It serves as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent,” Atiku said.
He also attacked the police’s handling of what he called a civil problem, claiming that defamation did not require law enforcement participation.
Atiku further warned that the acts were part of a larger plan to silence opposition and install a one-party state.
Afenifere, for its part, expressed fury over Farotimi’s imprisonment.
Chief Sola Ebiseni, the group’s General Secretary and lawyer, contended that Farotimi was entitled to bail for a bailable charge like slander.
Ebiseni questioned the court’s decision, claiming that the judge had no authority to reject bail, particularly given Farotimi’s health issues.
“I do not feel that it is right to say that he should come and justify on the grounds of ill health or whatever reason before being admitted to bail for a bailable offence,” Ebiseni remarked, adding that the court should have granted bail in liberal terms or on self-recognition.
During the court hearing, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included allegations that he accused Afe Babalola and others of undermining the Supreme Court’s credibility.
Temidayo Akeredolu, Farotimi’s lawyer, requested the court to give him bail, noting his long legal career and chronic health difficulties.
Akeredolu contended that Farotimi presented no threat to national security, emphasising the presumption of innocence.
The charges against Farotimi also included allegations that he claimed the Supreme Court was corrupted by corruption and had damaged its integrity due to Babalola’s influence.
When the charges were read to Farotimi, he pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate adjourned his bail application hearing until December 10.
