Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has strongly condemned the arrest of his colleague, Dele Farotimi, by the Nigerian Police at Zone 2 in Lagos State.
The arrest reportedly stems from a petition filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder of Afe Babalola University and a prominent legal luminary.
Effiong alleged that Chief Babalola’s actions are linked to the content of Farotimi’s recently published book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
Reacting to the arrest in a social media post, Effiong stated, “I have been in contact with Dele Farotimi in the last few days,” expressing concern over the situation and highlighting its implications for freedom of expression.
“During the course of our last conversation over the weekend, he updated me on efforts by the Nigerian Police to arrest him in respect of a petition which he said had been written against him by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
“The petition is said to contain allegations of defamation of character.
“According to Comrade Farotimi, Chief Afe Babalola SAN is coming after him because of the contents of his recently published book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.”
According to Inibehe, “In the book, he narrated his experiences with the justice system in Nigeria, including his personal experience in a case he was involved in some years ago involving the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“Based on what he told me, very highly placed individuals in the government have shown sinister interest in the case and are trying to deal with him.
“His immediate family has no access to him at this time and does not know where he has been taken to.
“I call on the Nigeria Police Force to grant him access to his family and his lawyers and release Mr Dele Farotimi immediately.
“The use of the police to pursue private interests is unacceptable. The police are supposed to serve the public interest.”
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