According to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist and lawyer from Lagos, is incarcerated because he has been speaking out against the status quo.
The fact that Farotimi is being held and charged under a legislation that does not even exist in Ekiti State, where his alleged offense was allegedly committed, is even more concerning, according to Atiku.
This was said by the former PDP presidential candidate in a post on his X Twitter on Tuesday.
“@DeleFarotimi, a lawyer and tireless advocate for human rights, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed “crime” of persistently speaking truth to power.
“His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden. More troubling still is the fact that he is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State.
“His plight serves as a poignant reflection of the pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights that has become all too common in Nigeria.
“Yet, perhaps the most alarming of all is the weaponization of the cyberbullying law, which is being used as a tool to harass, intimidate, and silence dissenting voices in the opposition and the press.
“On this solemn occasion of International Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to remind our leaders at every level of government to honour the oaths they have sworn to protect and uphold the constitutionally enshrined rights of the people. Only through this commitment can we hope to nurture and strengthen our democracy.”
The declaration follows the human rights attorney’s reincarceration.
According to reports, the decision regarding Farotimi’s bail request was postponed until December 20, 2024, on Tuesday.
Recalls that Ekiti State Police Command personnel detained Farotimi in Lagos State.
Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, filed a defamation action that resulted to his detention.
