Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer and social critic, Dele Farotimi, calling for his unconditional release.
In a post on his X account on Tuesday evening, he wrote that :
“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.
The Nigeria Police Force exists to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them.
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 Nigeria police or filing reports to silence others.
Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponising 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 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.
A new more Just and fair Nigeria is possible! -PO”
