Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the alleged threats to the life of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. In a statement, the organization condemned the ongoing repression of critical voices in Nigeria and called for an immediate probe into the threats against Farotimi.
Dele Farotimi himself had detailed how he was informed about an invitation letter from the Zone 2 Police Command on November 11. According to Farotimi, the letter requested his presence at the station on November 13, at 10:00 AM.
In a statement titled “They Want to Silence Me,” Farotimi expressed his apprehensions regarding the invitation and the potential motivations behind it
The lawyer who said that he was accompanied by his legal counsel, noted that he arrived at the station at 9:45AM on the stated date, and that at the station, he was presented with a petition written by a lawyer on behalf of Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, accusing him of defamation.
Meanwhile, several reports had revealed that Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian police at Zone 2 in Lagos after raising the threat alarm.
Reacting to the human right lawyer’s threats alarm, Amnesty International in a short statement issued on its social media account said that what it described as a chilling campaign of repression targeting critical voices is unlawful.
The organisation said, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned over alleged threats to the life of Dele Farotimi who has been facing a series of harassment and intimidation, solely for his critical opinions on national issues.
“This chilling campaign of repression targeting critical voices is unlawful.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately investigate allegations of threats to the life of Dele Farotimi and end the growing crackdown on human rights.
“Government must respect, protect, promote & fulfil the human rights of everyone including the right to freedom of expression.”
Recent report by Saharareporters revealed that the human rights lawyer arrest was conducted based on a petition by legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), over the allegations of cybercrime.
It was made known that after Farotimi’s arrest in Lagos, the Nigerian police drove him to Ekiti State by road.
Nigerian human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the arrest, describing it as illegal.
Sowore stated that the incident was orchestrated by one of Nigeria’s most senior lawyers, Afe Babalola (SAN).
Sowore, said, “I just spoke with Kunle Akinwale, the Commissioner of Nigeria Police Force Ekiti State Command. He admits that they arrested Dele Farotimi and that he’s being driven from Lagos to Ekiti by road.
“I told him categorically that this constituted an abuse of Police powers and that this civil case should not have warranted police intervention.”
Sowore added, “When he admitted to me that they were driving him from Lagos, I asked him repeatedly, “ Did he kill someone?”
“He even said he was still under investigation for “cybercrime.” this illegal arrest was staged by one of Nigeria’s most senior lawyers, Afe Babalola, SAN.
“This is just despicable. #FreeDeleFarotimi Now!”
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