OPINION: On the Arrest Of Dele Farotimi



by LA MII


Dele Farotimi, a prominent Human Rights Lawyer and Activist in Nigeria, was arrested on December 4, 2024, by officers attached to the Ekiti State Police Command. The arrest was based on allegations of defamatory statements in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, where he made controversial claims about Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria, and his law firm.


The statements alleged corruption within Nigeria's judicial system, which Babalola claimed were defamatory. Critics, including opposition politicians and activists, have condemned the arrest as an abuse of power, suggesting it reflects an attempt to intimidate dissenting voices and erode democratic freedoms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.


However, Farotimi’s legal team argues the charges are bailable and have questioned the refusal of bail by the magistrate. On December 9, protests demanding his release were planned for, with activists like Omoyele Sowore emphasizing that this case is a significant threat to free speech and justice in Nigeria with The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRAAN) condemning the legal proceedings, citing precedents like the 1985 Arthur Nwankwo vs The State Case, which declared sedition laws inconsistent with Nigeria's Constitution.


As a result of public critics and condemnation of legal proceedings, on Tuesday of this week, the Ekiti State Magistrate Court granted Farotimi bail set at ₦50 million with stringent conditions, including sureties providing land documents and bank consent letters with his next court hearing scheduled for January 29, 2025. 


After viewing this case, can we truly say that there is free speech and justice in Nigeria?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Social Director Addresses Budget Discrepancies, Loan Misunderstanding, and Event Challenges

Image
  By Omolola Gracie   FATSSSA PRESS: Good afternoon, Mr. Ashcroft. I'm a correspondent from FATSSSA Press and we're here today for the interview regarding the controversy with the FATSSSA Picnic. So, regarding the picnic controversies,  how much was budgeted and eventually spent? MR ASHCROFT: A budget of #398,000 was approved. FATSSSA PRESS: (points to the hard copy of the budget) This, right? MR ASHCROFT: Yes FATSSSA PRESS: So, 398,000 was approved by the house. Some items include small chops, four puff puffs per person, one samosa, one spring roll, and you planned for how many people? MR ASHCROFT: 400 people.   FATSSSA PRESS: For the small chops, everything was priced at 100,000. The peppered ponmo was budgeted at #60,000, punch for also #60,000, DJ for #70,000, and several others, all amounting to #398,000. So how much was eventually spent? MR ASHCROFT: #362,000 was eventually spent.   FATSSSA PRESS: So #398,000 was, indeed, budgeted for 400 people but #36...
Read more

BREAKING: FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES MOURNS LECTURER, SUSPENDS ALL ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK

Image
  By Emmanuel Akinwale The Faculty of the Social Sciences has today, 8th October released a memorandum announcing the suspension of all academic and administrative activities within the f aculty , following the untimely passing of Professor Ifeanyi Onyeonoru , a respected lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Head of the Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Unit.   The devastating news confirmed by FATSSSA Press correspondent stated that Professor Ifeanyi Onyeonoru passed away in the early hours of October 7, 2024, at Jaja Clinic during a brief illnes. The esteemable Professor is said to have contributed significantly to the academic repository of the Faculty and most importantly, his Department with his repertoire of knowledge. In a memorandum signed by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ehigie , the Dean of the Faculty expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating:   " This is to inform members of the Faculty that Lectures and other official activi...
Read more

THE FATSSSA WEEK EVENTS THROUGH THE EYES OF A NERDY FATSSSAITE

Image
  By Omolola Odukoya    The Faculty of The Social Sciences had always been known for events which make headlines around campus. However, there had been loud hiccups with the crispy picnic, so many might have been hesitant to show up at the FATSSSA Week events. In preparation for the opening day of the events, the Large Lecture Theatre had been decorated. A large purple banner bearing the name of the faculty, with beautiful splashes of white and orange, was glued to the wall. The week started with an incredible intellectual programme - ‘Dean For  A Day’ and ‘FATSSSAites who inspire us’. I was determined to attend the programme as it was a new trend and I was curious to see how it would turn out. My mouth went agape as I saw FATSSSAites rush to the event. There were six amazing personalities whose citations made my head burst open.  One of the personalities, Mr Shallom made the girls swoon as his melodious baritone tingled through the room. His cheeks turned...
Read more