AFRICA

Police Arrest Dele Farotimi in Lagos Without Notification to State Authorities

Renowned activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was on Tuesday arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command without prior notification to the Lagos State Police Command or Zone 2 Command.

Sources revealed that the Ekiti State officers stormed Lagos and picked up Farotimiin a “gestapo-style”, leaving both the Lagos State Command and Zone 2 Command in the dark until the incident went public.

The arrest was carried out without logging or booking the case in Lagos or informing relevant authorities in the state, as required by law.

Instead, Farotimi was immediately transported by road to Ekiti State.

Reacting to the incident, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Command, Adegoke Fayoade, denied his command’s involvement in the arrest.

Fayoade clarified that Farotimi had been invited to Zone 2 two weeks ago over a petition by businessman, Tony Elumelu, but was subsequently released.

A respected senior lawyer was fingered in the arrest.

“Zone 2 did not arrest Farotimi. He was here two weeks ago based on the letter by Elumelu’s lawyer. I later told him to go. We have not invited him back for anything,” Fayoade stated.

Similarly, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olanrewaju Ishola, denied involvement of the Lagos command in the arrest.

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, condemned Farotimi’s arrest, describing it as a gross misuse of police powers.

In a statement, Obi said, “I just learnt of the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation. This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.

“I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority. It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.”

Obi said the police existed to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them.

Obi stated, ”Defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.

”As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigeria Police or filing reports to silence others.

”Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponising the police or abusing their access to authority or state power. The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force.

”I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognise that their allegiance is to the constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power.”

Activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, who confirmed the arrest via X, formerly Twitter, also called the incident an abuse of police authority.

Sowore disclosed that he had spoken with the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Kunle Akinwale, who admitted carrying out the arrest.

Sowore, who argued that the case was civil in nature and did not warrant such drastic police intervention, alleged that a businessman and a lawyer were behind Farotimi’s ordeal.

Farotimi’s arrest sparked widespread condemnation, with critics pointing to violation of inter-state arrest protocols.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemned the arrest of lawyer Farotimi and the reported invasion of his law firm by law enforcement agents.

In a statement, NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the action as a “troubling breach of the rule of law” and an affront to the legal profession.

Osigwe emphasised that defamation was not a criminal offense under the laws of Lagos State, citing the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, which repealed the criminalisation of defamation. He also referenced a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed this position.

“Arresting individuals for non-criminal matters, such as defamation in Lagos State, is not only unlawful but also a blatant violation of the principles of legality and the rule of law,” Osigwe stated.

The NBA president further condemned the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff, including the seizure of their phones. He described the actions as a “severe disregard for the sanctity of legal practice and the constitutional rights of individuals”.

Osigwe demanded the immediate release of Farotimi, stating that his arrest lacks any legal basis. He also called for a swift investigation into the invasion of the law firm, with those responsible held accountable.

“We urge law enforcement agencies to prioritise the principles of legality, fairness, and respect for human rights in their operations. These principles are foundational to justice, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ freedoms,” Osigwe said.

Chiemelie Ezeobi and Chuks Okocha