The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has condemned the arrest of civil rights activist Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian Police and is demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi, a prominent legal practitioner and member of Afenifere, was detained on December 3, 2024, at his law office in Lekki, Lagos.
His arrest is linked to his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which allegedly defamed a certain individual.
Afenifere’s statement, signed by HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Prince Justice Faloye, condemned the manner in which Farotimi was taken into custody.
The group described the police action as “illegal, crude, uncivilised, and unacceptable,” highlighting that defamation is not a criminal offense warranting such aggressive treatment.
“Afenifere demands the immediate release of Dele Farotimi or that he be promptly taken to court, as he is presumed innocent of any charges. The burden of proof lies with the accusers, no matter their status,” the statement reads.
Afenifere also urged human rights organizations to speak out against what it termed an unlawful act of forceful arrest, warning that there were reports suggesting the police might seek to detain him for an extended period.
The group called on Nigerians and defenders of democracy to oppose such actions, likening them to the tactics of criminal gangs that disregard citizens’ rights.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also expressed grave concern over Farotimi’s arrest and the reported invasion of his law firm.
In a statement, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, stated that while the police have the authority to investigate crimes, such actions must be in accordance with the law.
He pointed out that defamation is no longer a criminal offense under Lagos State law, following the repeal of such provisions in the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.
The NBA referred to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling in the Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police case, which clarified that defamation is a civil matter in Lagos, not a criminal one.
Osigwe emphasized that Farotimi’s arrest for a non-criminal matter was unlawful and violated the principles of legality and the rule of law.
The NBA also condemned the police’s invasion of Farotimi’s law office, where lawyers and staff were reportedly harassed and had their phones seized, marking a severe breach of the sanctity of legal practice and constitutional rights.
The NBA called for an investigation into the invasion of Farotimi’s office and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
The statement concluded by urging law enforcement agencies to uphold the principles of legality, fairness, and respect for human rights in their operations, stressing that these values are essential for a functioning democracy and justice system.
