Kehinde Fajobi
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the detention of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, stating he is being punished for speaking truth to power.
Farotimi is facing prosecution before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola.
In a post on X to mark International Human Rights Day, Atiku described Farotimi’s incarceration as a glaring example of impunity and rights violations in Nigeria.
“Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power,” he said.
“His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden,” Atiku added.
The former vice president argued that Farotimi is being prosecuted under a cyberbullying law that does not exist in Ekiti State, calling the situation a grave injustice and a violation of constitutional rights.
“This is troubling. He is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State. This reflects the impunity that has become all too common in Nigeria,” Atiku said.
He also criticised the misuse of the cyberbullying law, alleging it has been weaponised to silence dissent, opposition voices, and journalists.
“The weaponization of the cyberbullying law to harass, intimidate, and silence opposition voices and journalists is alarming. It is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and the principles of democracy,” he stated.
Atiku called on Nigerian leaders to uphold their constitutional oaths and protect citizens’ rights, emphasising that democracy can only thrive through such commitment.
“Let us remind our leaders that the protection and upholding of constitutionally enshrined rights are fundamental to nurturing and strengthening our democracy. This commitment must not waver,” he said.
Farotimi’s detention has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights advocates and civil society groups, who view his case as a reflection of the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law.