Peter Obi Condemns Dele Farotimi’s arrest

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

🔊PETER OBI SPEAKS

I just learned of the arrest of @DeleFarotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation.

This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.

I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority.

It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.

The Nigeria Police Force exists to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them.

Defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.

As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others.

Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponizing the police or abusing their access to authority or state power.

The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force.

I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognize that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power.

A new more Just and fair Nigeria is possible!

PO

FreeDeleFarotimiNow

Today, the Nigerian Police arrested renowned human rights lawyer and author of a recent book titled; Nigeria and its criminal justice system, Dele Farotimi for alleged defamation. Shockingly, his whereabouts remain unknown.

This is not just an attack on Dele Farotimi but a blatant assault on freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.

Defamation cases, as established by precedent, are civil matters meant to be resolved in a court of law, not through police intimidation.

The case of the Falanas and VeryDarkMan demonstrated that legal disputes over defamation should follow due process. Arresting a critic and human rights advocate reflects a misuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent.

Dele Farotimi’s arrest is emblematic of the oppression faced by many Nigerians who dare to speak out against systemic injustice and corruption. This action is a grim reminder of the growing authoritarian tendencies within the country, where critics of the elite are met with force instead of dialogue.

We must ask: What does this say about a system that fears criticism more than injustice? How can Nigeria claim to uphold democracy while criminalizing dissent and weaponizing state institutions against its citizens?

Arresting critics is not strength; it is the ultimate admission of fear.”

We demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi and a transparent investigation into this abuse of power. Defamation should never serve as an excuse for arbitrary detention, and no Nigerian should live in fear of speaking truth to power.

Let us stand together against oppression and injustice. A nation that silences its critics is a nation on the brink of tyranny.

FreeDeleFarotimiNow

SayNoTyranny

The Pen 🖊️ Pusher
Isaac Obasi

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