Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has mentioned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, is emblematic of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to suffocate the elemental proper to free expression.
Atiku, who mentioned the arrest is a grim reminder of the darkish days of navy dictatorship, added that the intention is to intimidate and harass residents who oppose the regime and pave the best way for the institution of a one-party state.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in an announcement on Farotmi’s arrest, additionally reminded the Bola Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the ideas of democracy.
He mentioned freedom of speech and affiliation should not privileges however constitutionally enshrined rights, including that if anybody feels wronged by defamatory phrases, they’re free to hunt redress within the courts, not by the hands of the state’s enforcers.
Recall that Farotimi was arrested and detained by Police over an alleged act of defamation.
Reacting nevertheless Atiku mentioned, “The arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, is unequivocally condemned. It serves as a grim reminder of the darkish days of navy dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent.
“I’m made conscious that Dele is being accused of defamation — an offense that, underneath regular circumstances, shouldn’t warrant the involvement of legislation enforcement. The Police’s intervention in such issues is nothing lower than using a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions.
“This alarming pattern, notably the latest abduction — or fairly, the arrest — of Dele Farotimi, is emblematic of this administration’s insidious agenda to suffocate the elemental proper to free expression. The intention is obvious: to intimidate and harass residents, notably those that oppose the regime and the press, thus paving the best way for the institution of a one-party state. It’s crucial to remind the Tinubu administration that these repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the ideas of democracy.
“Freedom of speech and affiliation should not privileges however constitutionally enshrined rights. If anybody feels wronged by defamatory phrases, they’re free to hunt redress within the courts, not by the hands of the state’s enforcers. It’s an appalling abuse of energy to make use of the Police as a device for private vendettas.
“In 2019, I used to be defamed. I didn’t contain the Police to flex muscle groups and intimidate the defaming citizen, however I took the case to courtroom the place I’m at present searching for reliefs for the accidents to my identify and integrity. Due to this fact, I name for the instant and unconditional launch of Dele Farotimi,” he mentioned.
