The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi has condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, describing it as ‘a gross misuse of police powers’.
Mr. Farotimi was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday for allegedly defaming the Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu.
The lawyer had revealed that the police attempted to abduct him sometime last month, shortly after receiving an invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos on November 11.
He disclosed that the petition, filed by Mr. Elumelu, accused him of defamation when he arrived at the station two days later.
However, Mr. Obi, reacting to the arrest of the activist in a post on X (formerly Twitter) expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the action is an attack on freedom of expression, and demanded for his immediate release.
He wrote: “I just learned of the arrest of @DeleFarotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation. This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.
“I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority. It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.”
Obi stated that the NPF exists to protect the rights of citizens, and not to suppress them, explaining that “defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.”
“As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others. Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponizing the police or abusing their access to authority or state power.
“The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force. I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally,” the politician said.
He stressed that the police must recognise that their allegiance is to the constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power.
