The Nigeria Police Force has arrested prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following a defamation petition allegedly filed by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Group.
The arrest was disclosed on Tuesday by Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, who announced the development on X.
“I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him. 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 stated.
Farotimi, known for his vocal criticism of government policies and advocacy for citizens’ welfare, had earlier revealed attempts by the police to intimidate him.
He confirmed receiving a summons from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos on 11 November, requesting his appearance on 13 November.
During his visit to the police station, Farotimi disclosed that he was presented with a defamation petition filed by a lawyer on behalf of Elumelu. Days later, he alleged an attempt by the police to abduct him.
Farotimi’s arrest has reignited concerns about the government’s alleged misuse of law enforcement to target critics and journalists.
Civil society and human rights activists have continued to raise alarm over the increasing use of arbitrary arrests against dissenting voices in Nigeria.
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