Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the predicament faced by renowned human rights lawyer and advocate, Dele Farotimi, was because he spoke truth to power, decrying his detention as a sign of injustice.
Atiku stated that Farotimi is being prosecuted under a law that does not exist in Ekiti State.
In Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Farotimi is facing charges in a chief magistrate’s court for allegedly disparaging Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Abubakar claimed that the lawyer’s detention is a stark illustration of the widespread culture of impunity and human rights abuses in the nation in a post on X in honour of International Human Rights Day.
“Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power,” the statement read.
“His only offence lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden,” Atiku stated.
He faulted the circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s incarceration, stressing that Farotimi is being prosecuted under a criminal defamation law that does not exist in Ekiti State.
According to Atiku, the circumstances constitute a serious injustice and a breach of his fundamental rights.
The former vice president also expressed alarm about the abuse of the cyberbullying law, claiming that it has been used as a weapon to silence critics, including members of the press and opposition.
“This is concerning. Under the pretence of a law that doesn’t even exist in Ekiti State, he is being held and charged. This illustrates the impunity that has all too frequently occurred in Nigeria,” he continued.
“The weaponization of the cyberbullying law to harass, intimidate, and silence opposition voices and journalists is alarming. It is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and the principles of democracy,” he stated.
Nigerian officials at all levels of government were also asked by the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to renew their commitment to upholding people’s rights under the constitution. He emphasized that only with this kind of dedication will the country’s democracy flourish.
“Let us remind our leaders that the protection and upholding of constitutionally enshrined rights are fundamental to nurturing and strengthening our democracy. This commitment must not waver,” he stated.
Human rights activists and civil society organizations have condemned Dele Farotimi’s plight, viewing it as a symbol of the difficulties Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law face.
