The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate release of activist and human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, arrested over alleged defamation.
Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), confirmed the arrest in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.
Mr Sowore said the operatives of the Nigerian Police Force arrested Mr Farotimi following a defamation complaint filed by the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu.
He said Mr Elumelu’s petition alleged Mr Farotimi of defamation, which prompted his arrest.
Mr Sowore called for the lawyer’s immediate release, stressing that law enforcement agencies should not be used as tools for resolving personal disputes.
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SERAP, in a statement on its X page, echoed the demand for Mr Farotimi’s release.
The group criticised the use of criminal defamation laws to target critics, stating that such actions undermine freedom of expression and turn dissenting voices into criminals.
“BREAKING: The Tinubu administration must immediately release activist Dele Farotimi who is reportedly arrested for alleged defamation.
“Nigerian authorities should not be using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals and undermine freedom of expression”, SERAP tweeted.
