Court orders remand of Farotimi, Atiku says detention to intimidate citizens

Court orders remand of Farotimi, Atiku says detention to intimidate citizens

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The court ordered the remand of the activist in a correctional centre over alleged defamation charges.

This came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joined a list of prominent Nigerians and groups condemning in strong terms the arrest of Farotimi.

He was picked up in Lagos by the police on Tuesday, and moved to Ekiti State where he was detained ahead of his arraignment today.

Presiding Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, issued the remand order following Farotimi’s arraignment by the Police for allegedly defaming the character of legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

A report by Tribune says Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges brought against him.

Police prosecutor Samson Osun requested his remand in custody, citing the need for further investigation into the matter.

The defendant’s lawyer, Barrister Dayo Akeredolu, opposed the prosecutor’s request and urged the court to grant Farotimi bail on self-recognision or liberal terms.

Akeredolu argued that the charges were bailable and stressed that Farotimi, being a public figure, posed no threat to society.

Magistrate Adeosun denied the bail application, ordered Farotimi’s remand, and adjourned the case to December 10 for further hearing.

Meanwhile, Atiku in a post on its X handle said the arrest was meant to intimidate and harass citizens, particularly those opposed the regime, to pave the way for the establishment of a one-party state.

He said: “The arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, is unequivocally condemned. It serves as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent.

“I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offence that, under normal circumstances, should not warrant the involvement of law enforcement.

“The Police’s intervention in such matters is nothing less than the use of a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions.

“This alarming trend, particularly the recent abduction — or rather, the arrest — of Dele Farotimi, is emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression.

“The aim is clear: to intimidate and harass citizens, particularly those who oppose the regime and the press, thus paving the way for the establishment of a one-party state. It is imperative to remind the Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy.”