Officers from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, have arrested human
rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi following a defamation petition filed by a
complainant.
Sources revealed that the petition alleged that Farotimi
made defamatory statements against the complainant in a public forum.
Earlier, Farotimi had raised concerns about alleged threats
to his life, accusing Nigerian elites of collaborating with security agencies
and legal practitioners to intimidate him.
In a statement titled “They Want to Silence Me”, the lawyer
recounted receiving a police invitation on November 11, requesting his presence
at Zone 2 Command on November 13 at 10:00 AM.
Accompanied by his legal counsel, Farotimi reportedly
arrived at the station at 9:45 AM on the specified date.
“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by
a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” Farotimi stated. “Despite finding the
petition baseless, I addressed its content.”
The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with
prominent human rights activist Omoyele Sowore calling for Farotimi’s immediate
release.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle,
Sowore criticised the Police for allegedly serving as a tool for personal
grievances.
“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 Farotimi immediately,” he wrote.
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