Sowore Leads Global Protests Over Farotimi’s Detention
Human rights advocate and founder of the #TakeItBack Movement, Omoyele Sowore, is organizing a series of global protests in response to the detention of Lagos-based lawyer and public affairs analyst, Dele Farotimi.
On Thursday, Sowore took to his social media platforms to share details of the upcoming protests, which are set to take place on December 10, 2024. The demonstrations coincide with Farotimi’s scheduled bail hearing at a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, where he was expected to appear after being arrested earlier in the week.
Farotimi, who was detained in Lagos on Tuesday and arraigned the following day, faces allegations of defamation following claims in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, in which he accused Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Aare Afe Babalola of manipulating the Nigerian Supreme Court. A magistrate court ordered Farotimi’s remand in a correctional facility pending his bail hearing.
In reaction to the detention, Sowore announced the ‘Nationwide/Global Protest Against the Nigerian Judiciary,’ calling it a stand against the alleged injustice. He urged Nigerians to take action against what he described as systemic abuses within the judiciary, stating, “Nigerians will not be silenced.”
The protests are set to occur in various locations, including Lagos at Afe Babalola Chambers, Abuja at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ekiti State at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, and in London at King’s College Campus.
Sowore provided specifics for the Abuja demonstration, urging participants to gather at 7 a.m. at the Federal Ministry of Justice. He emphasized the need to occupy the entire Federal High Court Complex and march to the Police Headquarters, pointing out that both institutions play significant roles in what he described as “crimes against humanity” in Nigeria.
“The Abuja protest on December 10 is gaining momentum. Be sure to arrive early!” Sowore urged, adding the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimiNOW.
Sowore also promised logistical updates, including transportation details to Ado-Ekiti, and further information about the Lagos and London protests, declaring, “Enough is enough!”
Farotimi’s detention has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, activists, and social media users have all condemned the arrest as an assault on free speech and an abuse of power. Many are calling for Farotimi’s immediate release.
