Joint Statement Condemning the Arrest of Dele Farotimi

We, the undersigned, condemn in strong terms, the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a lawyer, human rights activist and our keynote speaker at the second edition of Freedom Vibes Series (Freedom Vibes 2.0).  According to media reports, the Ekiti State police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, confirmed his arrest over a petition relating to alleged defamation and cyberbullying. The activist has been reportedly transported from Lagos to Ekiti state.

Earlier, in a press release dated 2^nd December 2024, the activist revealed that he had been questioned at the zone 2 headquarters in Lagos in connection to a petition filed by Mr Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). He also disclosed that the police officers from Ekiti command were acting on another petition allegedly filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), adding that his comments about Chief Babalola were in a book published in Lagos and not Ekiti.

This arrest, which has been described as an abduction by social media observers, constitutes an abuse of the police institution and its deployment as an instrument of oppression against dissent.

We demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi and call on the Nigerian Police to institute a full investigation into this impunity. Allegations of defamation can be resolved in civil courts. Activists should not face criminal charges for writing critical stories about public figures or institutions. Criminalizing defamation is antithetical to the principles of an open and democratic society.

#FreeDeleFarotimiNow