Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has strongly condemned the alleged arrest of legal practitioner and civil rights activist Dele Farotimi by operatives of the Nigerian police. The group described the incident as a violation of democratic principles and called for Farotimi’s immediate release or lawful arraignment.
In a statement issued on Monday, Deputy Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Justice Faloye criticized the police for what they referred to as a “Gestapo-style arrest” from Farotimi’s Lagos office. According to reports, the arrest was linked to a petition accusing the activist of making defamatory comments against legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, in his latest book.
Afenifere insisted that the allegations were insufficient to justify such an action, noting that defamation is not a criminal offense. “This act is an affront to democratic principles, and we demand his immediate release or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction. Farotimi, like every citizen, is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the statement read.
The group expressed concern over alleged plans by the police to use legal technicalities to prolong Farotimi’s detention under dubious pretenses. It also called on Nigerians to stand against what it termed the “habitual crude and uncivilized tactics” of law enforcement agencies.
“This pattern of intimidation undermines the rule of law and resembles the actions of criminal gangs rather than a democratic government,” Afenifere warned.
Dele Farotimi, a prominent member of Afenifere’s National Caucus and an outspoken advocate for human rights, remains in custody as calls for his release gain momentum.