Supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, known as “Obidients,” have threatened to organize nationwide protests in response to the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi by the Nigeria Police.
The Obidient Movement, through a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, expressed their discontent over the incident.
Farotimi was arrested on Monday at his residence in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State, following a petition filed against him by renowned lawyer and elder statesman Aare Afe Babalola, alleging criminal libel.
In his petition, Aare Afe Babalola accused Dele Farotimi of damaging his reputation and professional integrity through claims made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The book allegedly suggests that Babalola influenced the Supreme Court to obtain favorable rulings for his clients.
Farotimi was subsequently arraigned in court on Wednesday, with the police filing a 16-count charge against him, including defamation and cyberbullying.
The Chief Magistrate of Ekiti State, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered Farotimi to be remanded in a correctional facility until the case’s next hearing, scheduled for December 10, 2024.
Obidients protest Farotimi’s arrest
Dr. Tanko Yunusa criticized the arrest, describing it as a misuse of authority intended to suppress dissent and demanded the activist’s immediate release.
“We strongly denounce this blatant abuse of power and urge the Nigerian Police to uphold Dele Farotimi’s fundamental human rights as guaranteed under Section 40 of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” the Obidient Movement declared.
The group cautioned that if Farotimi is not released, they would organize nationwide protests. They also called on the international community to closely monitor the situation, which they described as “disturbing,” and to stand in solidarity with those advocating for justice and human rights in Nigeria.
“Dele Farotimi, a staunch human rights advocate, has consistently opposed injustice and defended marginalized communities. His arrest seems to be a deliberate effort to silence him and intimidate others who challenge the status quo. We will not tolerate any form of cruelty or abuse of power against Dele Farotimi, Peter Obi, or any other champion of truth and justice,” the Obidient Movement stated.
Atiku and Obi demand Farotimi’s release
Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized the arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi in separate statements issued on Wednesday.
Atiku compared the incident to the oppressive practices of the military dictatorship era, calling it an overreach by the police and an attempt to suppress free speech.
