The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged the Nigeria Police Force to uphold its integrity by halting the prosecution of human rights activist Mr. Dele Farotimi, describing his detention as unjust.
Farotimi was arraigned at a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti last week following a defamation petition filed by Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The petition alleges that Farotimi defamed Babalola in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Judicial System.”
Speaking at a press conference held at the residence of Afenifere’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the group’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, demanded the protection of Farotimi’s rights and criticized the delay in granting him bail.
Olaitan condemned the police’s handling of the arrest, describing it as an abduction, and called for a fair and just resolution to the matter.
The Deputy Leader stated: “This conference has been convened to draw attention to the abduction, detention, and incarceration of Mr. Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and member of Afenifere’s National Caucus.
“On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Mr. Farotimi was arrested in his office in what can best be described as abduction. Plainclothes police officers, wielding guns, arrived at his office, roughly pushing aside lawyers and staff, and seizing their phones.
“Farotimi had previously informed journalists that the police tried to arrest him in November, following an invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos on November 11. After honoring the invitation on November 13, he was shown a petition accusing him of defamation, filed by a lawyer on behalf of Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group.”
Olaitan further revealed that Farotimi had alleged Chief Afe Babalola was responsible for orchestrating his arrest over defamation charges stemming from his book. Babalola, a renowned legal practitioner, also serves as the Chancellor of Afe Babalola University.
The Afenifere Deputy Leader strongly criticized the practice of arresting individuals in one state and transferring them to another without notifying their families. He condemned such actions as a blatant violation of fundamental rights and called on the police to put an end to the practice.
“Arrests must be logged at a police station nearest to the suspect’s residence or office. The arrested person must be treated with dignity and allowed to contact their family or lawyer. This is the minimum standard required by any civilized nation,” Olaitan said.
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Farotimi was arraigned in Ado-Ekiti on December 4, 2024, on charges of criminal libel. Despite the offense being bailable, the Magistrate deferred his bail application, adjourning the case to December 10. Adding to the controversy, the Inspector General of Police later filed cyberstalking charges against Farotimi, leading to his court appearance in handcuffs—a move widely criticized as an act of humiliation.
Afenifere condemned the denial of bail and the court’s failure to address objections raised by Farotimi’s legal team, who argued that the charges lacked any legal basis within Ekiti State.
The organization called for Farotimi’s immediate and unconditional release, urging the police to halt what they described as an unjust and politically motivated prosecution. Afenifere further demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his arrest and the treatment he received.
“Afenifere insists that Farotimi’s rights must be protected, and he must have his day in court. No one should be unjustly incarcerated,” Olaitan emphasized.
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