Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has totally condemned the arrest and detention of human rights activist, Mr. Dele Farotimi.

In a statement the Waziri Adamawa signed himself, he expressed fear that the country is gradually relapsing to the ‘dark days of military dictatorship’, arguing that the crime of defamation, which Mr Farotimi is accused of, is not worth the attention the police are giving it, describing it as using a ‘sledgehammer to swat a fly’.

The full statement:

“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 offense 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.

“Freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights. If anyone feels wronged by defamatory words, they are free to seek redress in the courts, not at the hands of the state’s enforcers. It is an appalling abuse of power to use the Police as a tool for personal vendettas. In 2019, I was defamed. I did not involve the Police to flex muscles and intimidate the defaming citizen, but I took the case to court where I am currently seeking reliefs for the injuries to my name and integrity. Therefore, I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.

Recalled that Farotimi’s house was on Tuesday, invaded by heavily armed policemen, and whisked away.

The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abutu Sunday, said the lawyer was arrested on Tuesday in Lagos by operatives of the command.

He added that Farotimi is undergoing interrogations at the command’s headquarters in Ado-Ekiti for allegations of defamation of character and cyberbullying.

The PPRO said: “The Ekiti State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that one Mr. Dele Farotimi is currently undergoing investigation following a petition written against him to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command for an allegation of defamation of character and cyberbullying.

“He was arrested today in Lagos with a warrant after all means deployed by the Command to bring him for interrogation proved abortive.

“He is currently in custody and will be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.

Also on Tuesday, human right lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) confirmed Farotimi’s arrest, while demanding his “unconditionally” released from “illegal custody”.

“I just confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel,” he said in a Tuesday statement.

“In demanding Mr. Farotimi’s unconditional release from illegal custody, I wish to state, without any fear of contradiction, that Lagos State is among the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalised defamation in its entirety.

“In fact, the current state of the law was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Aviomoh v Commissioner of Police & Anor. (2021) LPELR-55203(SC) when Helen Ogunwumiju JSC held that “Defamation was decriminalised in the Criminal Law of Lagos in 2011 and Edo State Criminal Law Bill 2020.”

Earlier in the day, Farotimi had alleged that there were plots to silence him after he received a police invite.

Earlier in the day, Farotimi had alleged that there were plots to silence him after he received a police invite.

“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” he wrote on social media. “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content,” he had said.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), Nigeria’s former Head of State, for pleading with the late General Sani Abacha to spare his life during the military regime’s crackdown on alleged coup plotters.

Obasanjo, who was imprisoned under Abacha’s rule, revealed his appreciation while reacting to Gowon’s statement made at the Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State on Friday.

During the event, Gowon recounted his intervention, explaining that he had written a personal letter to Abacha urging clemency for Obasanjo.

“I told him (Abacha) that God made him a leader to do good, not evil,” Gowon said.

He added that the letter, delivered to Abacha by his wife, seemed to change the course of events. Gowon expressed joy that Obasanjo not only survived the ordeal but went on to lead the country as President in 1999.

Responding the next day, Obasanjo admitted he was unaware of Gowon’s specific intervention until it was disclosed at the festival.

“I went round the world thanking those that have been appealing and praying for my release from prison. But I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday; I thank you for that,” Obasanjo stated.

He also lauded Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his peace-building initiatives and urged him to continue working toward the state’s development.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including former governors Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, Boni Haruna (Adamawa), and Governor Mutfwang.

It was a significant moment of reflection on Nigeria’s history, given the political past between Gowon and Obasanjo, who had played a role in overthrowing Gowon’s government in the 1975 coup led by the late Murtala Mohammed.