Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku described Farotimi’s arrest as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s dark past under military dictatorship, when dissent was ruthlessly suppressed.
Atiku expressed concern over the accusation of defamation against Farotimi, emphasizing that such a charge should not warrant police involvement under normal circumstances.
He described the police’s intervention as an overreaction, akin to “using a sledgehammer to swat a fly,” labeling it as an unnecessary overreach.
Atiku stated that the arrest of Farotimi serves as “a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent.”
He continued: “I am made aware that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offence that, under normal circumstances, should not warrant the involvement of law enforcement.
“The Police’s intervention in such matters is nothing less than the use of a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions.
“This alarming trend, particularly the recent abduction — or rather, the arrest — of Dele Farotimi, is emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the fundamental right to free expression.
“The aim is clear: to intimidate and harass citizens, particularly those who oppose the regime and the press, thus paving the way for the establishment of a one-party state.
“It is imperative to remind the Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy.”
The former Vice President further criticized the growing trend of detaining critics, highlighting that the arrest of Farotimi reflects the current administration’s broader agenda to stifle free speech and intimidate those who oppose the government. According to Atiku, these actions pave the way for a one-party state, undermining the nation’s democratic principles.
Atiku reminded the Tinubu administration that freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally guaranteed rights. He also pointed out that anyone who feels wronged by defamatory statements has the legal right to seek redress in court, not through the intervention of law enforcement.
He added by sharing his personal experience, recalling that when he was defamed in 2019, he sought legal recourse through the courts instead of using the police to intimidate the individual responsible. Atiku then called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi.
“It is an appalling abuse of power to use the Police as a tool for personal vendettas.
“In 2019, I was defamed. I did not involve the Police to flex muscles and intimidate the defaming citizen, but I took the case to court where I am currently seeking relief for the injuries to my name and integrity.
“Therefore, I call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi,” he concluded.