Police Arrest Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Over Defamation Allegations
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force over allegations of defamation, cyberstalking, and other related offences.
The arrest was disclosed by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, in a statement shared on his social media platform on Tuesday. Sowore condemned the arrest and called for Farotimi’s immediate release, urging the police to avoid being used as a tool for personal vendettas.
“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation. Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately,” Sowore said.
However, the spokesperson for the Zone 2 Police Command, SP Ummar Ayuba, denied the arrest, stating, “We did not make any arrest. He is not in our custody.”
Contrary to the Zone 2 denial, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, confirmed that Farotimi is under investigation for defamation of character, cyberstalking, and other alleged offences.
Akinwale stated, “The offences committed include defamation of character and cyberstalking, which are fully established. That was why we have been looking for him before we were able to arrest him. We are conducting an investigation to determine his level of culpability or otherwise.”
The situation has sparked widespread reactions, with rights activists raising concerns about the use of law enforcement to address civil disputes. The outcome of the investigation remains awaited.
