- Elumelu filed a petition accusing Farotimi of defamation, according to Sowore
- Sowore called for his immediate release
Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi’s arrest was disclosed by the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.
Sowore revealed that Elumelu filed a petition accusing Farotimi of defamation.
“I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him,” he said.
Sowore called for Farotimi’s immediate release, stressing that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.
“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation.
“Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
Earlier, the lawyer had raised concerns over alleged threats to his life by prominent figures in the country.
In a statement titled: “They Want to Silence Me”, Farotimi revealed that he received an invitation to report to Zone 2 Command on November 13, 2024.
He said he complied with the directive and was presented with the petition accusing him of making defamatory statements against Elumelu.
“Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content,” Farotimi said.
As at the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Police was yet to issue any statement on the development.
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