A video showing the arrest of Popular activist and Lawyer, Dele Farotimi has emerged.
The footage, which was posted by 2023 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, on his X handle reveals the moment Farotimi was taken into custody from his residence by operatives of the Ekiti state police command in Lagos.
Farotimi’s arrest was over alleged Criminal Libel. The lawyer is accused of defaming the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group, Tony Elumelu.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has demanded Farotimi’s unconditional release from police custody, arguing that Lagos State is one of the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalized defamation.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the arrest of Farotimi. The NBA slammed the police for arresting Farotimi in Lagos State, where libel is not considered a criminal offense.
Furthermore, the NBA denounced the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff. The association views these actions as a disturbing breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
“These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession,” the NBA said Tuesday night in a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe.