Why we arrested Dele Farotimi – Police

• His arrest has been greeted by outrage and condemnation with influential public figures demanding is immediate and unconditional release

The Nigerian police force has opened up on the arrest of the Lagos-based human rights activist, Dele Farotimi.

Within Nigeria had reported on Tuesday that Farotimi was arrested by the police at his Lagos state office and driven to Ekiti State.

Farotimi’s arrest, according to reports, followed a petition by chief Afe Babalola over the content of his new book.

His arrest has been greeted by outrage and condemnation with influential public figures demanding is immediate and unconditional release.

Speaking on the development, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeniran Akinwale, has justified Farotimi’s arrest.

According to him, the activist was arrested for alleged cyberbullying and defamation.

In an interview with newsmen on Tuesday, Akinwale said the alleged offences committed by Farotimi included “defamation of character, cyberstalking and other things” noting that those two allegations were “fully established.”

He said, “We are investigating him (Farotimi). If the suspect is arrested, we will bring him for investigation. We will conduct our investigation and will be able to know his level of culpability or otherwise.”

Osuntokun condemns arrest

Reacting to the arrest, the Director General of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Akin Osuntokun, condemned how the lawyer was arrested.

He expressed concerns about the alleged involvement of Chief Afe Babalola whom he described as an illustrious personality.

Osuntokun said, “I know Dele Farotimi as a junior I was a bit disturbed about the fact that the police commissioner in Ekiti state would come to Lagos to come and arrest someone about cybercrime which is always a euphemism for whatever grouse the police has. Chief Afe Babalola is an illustrious citizen of Nigeria, his name being attached to what has happened.

“I am sure that Babalola will not get involved in something like this. Something is missing somewhere. The method with which he was apprehended, I won’t know how that is consistent with due process.”