Still curious about Why Dele Farotimi was Arrested and Jailed Immediately? See Full Details
GoldenNewsNg gathered that Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer and activist, was recently arrested by the Nigerian Police following allegations of defamation. The case stems from a petition filed by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, accusing Farotimi of making defamatory statements about him. Farotimi had previously raised concerns about threats to his life, claiming they were orchestrated by influential elites and security agencies.
The arrest occurred at the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos after Farotimi honored an invitation to address the allegations. Despite his efforts to respond to the claims, Farotimi accused the police of planning to detain him under pretense.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and others have criticized the arrest, describing it as an attempt to intimidate critics using law enforcement. They called for his immediate release and urged reforms to prevent the misuse of police authority.
Confirming his arrest and reason for detention
The Ekiti state police command confirmed that Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos over several allegations of defamation of character and Cyberbullying.
Dele Farotimi Hurriedly Prosecuted, Sent to Prison in Ekiti
The human rights lawyer and social critic has been prosecuted and remanded in prison in Ekiti State after policemen detained him on Tuesday.
Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, shared an update on the case via his X page on Wednesday. He stated that the human rights lawyer was hurriedly prosecuted and sent to jail after being denied bail by a judge.
He said the judge also ordered Farotimi’s remand until December 10 when the case will be heard in court.
“The Nigerian justice system is whack, as expected Dele Farotimi has been hurriedly prosecuted and sent to prison after being denied bail by a judge in Ado Ekiti pre-arranged to do the same,” Sowore wrote on X.
He also accused Afe Babalola, a prominent Nigerian lawyer, and the judicial system of having a hand in Farotimi’s arrest which has since been widely criticized on social media.
“The Police, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, and the judicial officers had it all planned out even before they sent the goons from Ekiti state command RRS (formerly SARS) to abduct him. The case adjourned till December 10, 2024.”
The Nigerian justice system is wack, as expected @DeleFarotimi has been hurriedly prosecuted and sent to prison after being denied bail by a judge in Ado Ekiti pre-arranged to do the same.
The @policeng, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, and the judicial officers had it all planned out… pic.twitter.com/h7lNiUhc0n
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) December 4, 2024
Meanwhile, In November 2024, Farotimi told journalists that the police were trying to abduct him after he received an invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos.