- Seun Kuti highlighted the need to fight for justice and demanded the immediate release of Dele Farotimi.
- He called on the country’s top lawyers to oppose laws and actions that restrict free speech, urging them to act against the increasing criminalization of criticism
Nigerian Afrobeat artist and activist Seun Kuti has expressed his concerns regarding the recent arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
In a recent video, Kuti urged Nigerians to be careful of the police being used as tools of oppression. He questioned the implications of empowering law enforcement to arrest individuals for speaking their minds.
Seun Kuti also addressed the public’s reaction to Farotimi’s arrest, asking if they are satisfied with the current state of affairs.
He pointed out the inconsistency in celebrating the arrest of one individual while condemning the arrest of another.
Seun Kuti also called on prominent lawyers in Nigeria to take a stand against laws and actions that restrict freedom of speech.
He emphasized the need to fight for justice and demanded Farotimi’s immediate release.
He stated:
“We cannot be in a society where you cannot speak your mind against anybody and you go straight to the police to arrest people.
“Once you give police that power to give people that power too, they would take advantage of it . If we allow this to continue of allow it to stand, we would have a problem. I’ve told you all not to allow this thing to become a habit. You all were happy when VeryDarkMan was arrested. But are you happy now? Are you?.
“I believe that this kind of law that doesn’t allow Nigerians to speak their mind without police being involved is ridiculous. I now expect the big lawyers in Nigeria to take a stance against this. All of them are in favour of this law that restricts Nigerians and it stops them from being scrutinised online.
“We need to fight against the law that limits freedom of speech. They should free Dele Farotimi. Free him! His speaking does not call for police involvement…Our court of law is going to turn into a joke.”
The arrest of Dele Farotimi was made in connection with allegations of cybercrime and defamation against Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria. Farotimi was granted bail in the amount of N50 million with one surety.
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