The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, for defaming UBA Group chairman, Tony Elumelu.
Publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, announced this on Tuesday in a post on X.
Sowore called for the lawyer’s immediate release, emphasising that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.
Sowore wrote, “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.”
Farotimi, in a statement on Monday titled “They Want to Silence Me,” accused the police of harassment and intimidation. According to him, the situation began on November 11, 2024, when he received an invitation to appear at the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos.
He honoured the invitation on November 13, accompanied by his lawyer, and was presented with a petition from Elumelu accusing him of defamation. Despite considering the accusations baseless, Farotimi addressed the allegations. After discussions with senior officers, he was granted bail on self-recognition and directed to return on November 21, 2024.
Following his initial release, Farotimi alleged that the police engaged in tracking his movements, harassing his staff, and attempting to lure him to other locations under false pretences. He also claimed that members of a church were questioned by police in a bid to compel his cooperation.
Farotimi alleged that the police sought to involve third parties, including a prominent lawyer in Ekiti State, to pressure him into appearing in their jurisdiction, suggesting a coordinated attempt to intimidate him.
