Peter Obi Condemns Arrest Of Dele Farotimi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, by the Nigeria Police.

Peter Obi said the arrest of Farotimi, a former member of his presidential campaign council, on an allegation of defamation by the police was a gross misuse of police powers.

In a statement on Tuesday, he stated that the arrest of Farotimi was an intimidation of opposing voices.

I just learned of the arrest of Dele Farotimi, 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,” Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra State emphasized that Nigeria Police owe citizens protection and not suppress rights.

He noted that defamation is a matter that should be addressed in court and not through police intimidation. He stated that the resort to police was an abuse of power.

Peter Obi called for the immediate release of the human rights lawyer, Farotimi.

He further called on the Police to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria.

“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.