Nigerian human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has reportedly been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.
The arrest, which took place on Tuesday, followed a petition filed by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group, accusing Farotimi of defamation. The petition alleges that the lawyer made statements damaging to Elumelu's reputation, which led to the involvement of the police. The arrest has raised concerns among many Nigerians, particularly over the potential use of the police to settle personal grievances.
The news of Farotimi's arrest was first hinted at by Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), who took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday to share the development. Sowore expressed his concerns about the situation and called for the immediate release of Farotimi, stating:
“I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him. 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.”
In a related development, Farotimi had previously alleged that the Nigeria Police Force had planned to abduct him in Lagos, a claim he made public during a press conference. According to Farotimi, the police had devised deceptive methods to lure him into custody, even though he was willing to comply with an invitation to the Zone 2 police headquarters in Lagos. Farotimi's statements have raised questions about the nature of the police's actions and the involvement of high-profile individuals in this case.
During the press conference, Farotimi explained his version of events, stating that he had received an invitation letter from the Zone 2 police command on November 11, 2024. The letter requested that he report to the station on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Farotimi, accompanied by his legal counsel, arrived at the station at 9:45 AM on the scheduled date. However, upon arrival, he was presented with a petition written by a lawyer on behalf of Mr. Tony Elumelu, accusing him of defamation.
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked a wave of reactions, with many expressing concerns over the potential misuse of law enforcement in settling personal conflicts. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the relationship between the Nigerian police and the legal community, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals involved in high-profile defamation claims. The situation remains under investigation, and many are closely following developments.
