Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing incarceration of human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, whose recent arrest has sparked widespread concern regarding the state of civil liberties in Nigeria. Atiku's statement comes as Farotimi faces serious allegations of defamation linked to his published work, "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System."
On December 3, 2024, Dele Farotimi was apprehended by police officers in Lagos and subsequently transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he was arraigned on multiple charges. His arrest, which was executed without prior notice or invitation, has raised significant alarm among legal experts and human rights advocates alike. The charges stem from a petition filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria, who claims that certain statements made in Farotimi's book are defamatory.
In a statement released today, Atiku Abubakar described the circumstances surrounding Farotimi's arrest as "unacceptable" and indicative of a broader trend aimed at silencing dissenting voices. He stated, "The use of law enforcement to address alleged defamation is an overreach that undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Freedom of speech and expression are not privileges; they are fundamental rights enshrined in our constitution."