Peter Obi, the Labour Party?s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi over allegations of defamation.

Obi described the arrest as a ?gross misuse of police powers? and a ?grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria?.

Obi emphasised that defamation is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process, rather than involving the police. He also expressed concern that the arrest represents an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority and a worrying signal to Nigerians who value freedom of expression and demand accountability and transparency.

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 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 police must recognize 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.

The arrest of Farotimi has sparked widespread outrage, with many Nigerians calling for his immediate and unconditional release. Atedo Peterside, founder of Anap Foundation, has also joined the call for Farotimi?s release, stating that those who wrote petitions against him have defamed themselves.

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, has also condemned Farotimi?s arrest, describing it as an abuse of police powers. (Nigerian Tribune)

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