Arrest of Dele Farotimi “is a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship,” Atiku says

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the arrest of lawyer and political activist Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian police, describing it an act of intimidation and harassment.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Wednesday, Atiku alleged that the arrest is part of an effort to silence dissenting voices, particularly critics of the current administration and the press, paving the way for a one-party state.

Recall that Farotimi’s arrest stemmed from a defamation petition filed by senior lawyer Afe Babalola.

Atiku described the incident as a troubling echo of the oppressive days of military rule, stating that such actions undermine the tenets of democracy.

He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reconsider its approach, emphasizing that repeated arrests of dissenting voices are fundamentally at odds with democratic values.

He said: “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. -AA”