Prominent human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been arrested by the Nigeria Police at Zone 2 Command in Lagos following a defamation petition filed by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA Group.
This arrest has come from accusations of his making defamatory remarks against Elumelu, which Farotimi has denied. He made it known that he was invited to the police station on November 13, 2024, where he officially spoke to the allegations and described them as baseless.
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked widespread outrage. Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore criticized the move, urging the police to release the lawyer immediately. Sowore condemned the use of law enforcement for settling personal disputes, emphasizing that Nigerians would no longer tolerate such practices.
The recent claims by Farotimi of threats to his life, allegedly by influential elites in collaboration with security agencies, have added another layer of concern in the case. The situation has continued to attract immense public attention, with calls for justice and due process.
