Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, has described as an abuse of “democratic norms” the arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotomi.
Obi, in a statement on his verified X page on Wednesday, berated the police over the handling of the case.
Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti state police command, was brought to the court at about 10:25 am Wednesday and was subsequently remanded in prison.
Chronicle reports that the activist lawyer is being prosecuted on a 16-count charge of defamation of character against a legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola SAN.
Reacting to his arrest and prosecution, the former governor of Anambra state mentioned that the police, “who are struggling with a barrage of crimes all over the place,” should not be indulging “in civil cases on half complaints and rush to court at the speed of light.”
Noting that “matters of defamation are civil and should be treated as such,” Obi urged the relevant “authorities to ensure that justice is served impartially.”
Obi’s statement reads, “The handling of the case involving human rights lawyer @DeleFarotomi runs foul of every Democratic norm that guarantees freedom of expression and innocence until found guilty before a law court.
“It’s curious that the Nigeria Police, who are struggling with a barrage of crimes all over the place, now indulge in civil cases on half complaints and rush to court at the speed of light.
“Hearing that Dele Farotimi has been remanded in prison over an allegation of defamation is very disturbing.
“This development raises serious concerns about the state of justice and freedom of expression in our country, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the alarming rise in criminal activities across the nation.
“At a time when national efforts should be directed toward addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges, it is disheartening to see the focus shifted to cases that appear to stifle critical voices.
“Matters of defamation are civil and should be treated as such, not turned into a tool for intimidation or the erosion of fundamental rights.
“The strength of any democracy lies in its ability to tolerate differing opinions and uphold the rule of law without bias.
“I once again call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served impartially and to prioritise the urgent task of combating the real threats plaguing our nation.”
