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A Southwest socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has condemned the purported arrest and detention of legal practitioner and Human Rights Advocate, Dele Farotimi.
Naija News reported earlier that Farotimi was arrested from his office in Lagos by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force over alleged defamation.
In a statement released on Monday, signed by its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere characterized the event as intolerable within a democratic framework.
Afenifere observed that the spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police, Sunday Abutu, indicated that the arrest stemmed from a petition alleging that Farotimi made defamatory remarks about Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, which were reportedly included in his latest publication.
Afenifere, however, contended that the claims were inadequate to warrant what they termed a “Gestapo-style arrest,” underscoring that defamation is not classified as a criminal offence.
“This act is an affront to democratic principles, and we demand his immediate release or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction. Farotimi, like every citizen, is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the group stated.
The group articulated additional apprehensions regarding purported intentions to exploit legal loopholes to prolong Farotimi’s detention, stating, “There are speculations that the police and their backers intend to keep him incarcerated for 30 days or longer under questionable justifications.”
Afenifere urged Nigerians and advocates of democracy to oppose what it characterized as “repeatedly crude and uncivilized methods” employed by law enforcement.
“These actions are akin to those of criminal gangs with no regard for the rights of citizens,” the Yoruba social-cultural group added.
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