LAGOS (Sundiata Post) – Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday (today) reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, a diehard member of the Obidient Movement, outspoken lawyer and foremost human rights activist in his office at the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Reports quoting Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), as disclosing the development through his X platform, suggesting that the activist, known for his lacerating criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government, was picked up based on a petition written by Tony Elumelu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc.
Sowore’s post on the platform, saying: “I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him,” also called for the immediate release of the lawyer, stressing that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.
It added: “It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation. Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
The development is coming on the heels of Farotimi’s earlier alarm alleging threats to his life by prominent figures in the country, where he wrote: “They Want to Silence Me. I received an invitation to report to Zone 2 Command on November 13, 2024. I complied with the directive and was presented with the petition accusing me of making defamatory statements against Elumelu. Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content.”
