Farotimi’s Detention, Blatant Violation Of Citizens’ Rights — Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again condemned the arrest and detention of Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamation charges. He described the situation as a manifestation of the “pervasive climate of impunity” and a “blatant violation of citizens’ rights.”
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, coinciding with the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, Atiku criticized Farotimi’s arrest, emphasizing that it was a violation of fundamental rights. He also expressed his concerns about the dubious legal grounds for the detention, pointing out that Farotimi is being prosecuted under a cyberbullying law that “does not exist in Ekiti State.”
Atiku stated, “@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.”
He further expressed alarm over the misuse of the cyberbullying law to target individuals who challenge the status quo. “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,” Atiku said. He also raised concerns about the broader implications of using the law to harass and silence dissenting voices in opposition and the press.
Atiku remarked that Farotimi’s detention reflects the growing disregard for human rights in Nigeria, where citizens’ rights are increasingly violated with little to no accountability. He called on political leaders and stakeholders to uphold their constitutional duties to protect citizens’ rights, especially on Human Rights Day.
“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,” Atiku concluded.
