Says Activist’s Arrest Was an Abduction

By Dapo Akinrefon

LAGOS— The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, on Wednesday, called on the Nigeria Police Force to restore its integrity by halting the prosecution of human rights activist, Mr. Dele Farotimi, claiming that he was unjustly incarcerated.

Farotimi was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti last week following a petition from the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, accusing him of defamation in his book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Judicial System.”

Afenifere’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, who addressed a press conference at the residence of the group’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, emphasized that Farotimi’s rights must be protected, condemning the delay in granting him bail.

Olaitan also criticized the police for the manner of Farotimi’s arrest, calling it an abduction.

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 noted that Farotimi had indicated that Chief Afe Babalola was behind the plan to arrest him over defamation charges related to his book. Babalola, a prominent legal practitioner, is also the Chancellor of Afe Babalola University.

The Afenifere Deputy Leader criticized the practice of arresting individuals in one state and transporting them to another, often without informing their families, and demanded that the police cease such actions, which he described as a violation of basic rights.

“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.

Farotimi was arraigned in Ado-Ekiti on December 4, 2024, on charges of criminal libel. Despite the bailable nature of the alleged offense, the Magistrate did not consider Farotimi’s bail application, instead adjourning it to December 10. Subsequently, the Inspector General of Police added cyberstalking charges against Farotimi, and he was brought to court in handcuffs—a move criticized by many as an attempt to humiliate him.

Afenifere also condemned the refusal to grant bail and the failure of the court to recognize objections raised by Farotimi’s legal team regarding the lack of legal grounds for the charges in Ekiti State.

The organization concluded by calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Farotimi, urging the police to terminate the prosecution, which Afenifere believes is unjust and based on extraneous motives. They also demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest and treatment.

“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.