Prominent human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, sparking public concern and controversy. The news of his arrest was shared by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, who took to social media to demand Farotimi’s immediate release.
Sowore criticized the police for allegedly being used as a tool for settling personal scores, calling such actions unacceptable. In a post on his X account, he wrote, “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.”
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Despite Sowore’s claims, the police have denied that Farotimi is in their custody. SP Ummar Ayuba, spokesperson for the Zone 2 Command in Lagos, refuted the reports. “We did not make any arrest. He is not in our custody,” Ayuba said in a statement to PUNCH Online.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Adeniran Akinwale, confirmed that Farotimi is under investigation for allegations including defamation of character and cyberstalking.
Speaking to PUNCH Online, Akinwale said, “The offences committed include defamation of character, cyberstalking, and other things. But those two are fully established. That was why we had been looking for him before we were able to arrest him.
“We are investigating him. If the suspect is arrested, we will bring him for investigation. We will conduct our investigation and will be able to know his level of culpability or otherwise.”
Farotimi’s arrest has drawn mixed reactions, with many Nigerians questioning the motives behind the police’s actions. Sowore’s call for transparency and accountability reflects broader concerns about the potential misuse of law enforcement agencies for personal or political reasons.