On Tuesday, Nigerian authorities apprehended human rights attorney and political activist Dele Farotimi following a defamation complaint lodged by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group.
Pro-democracy advocate Omoyele Sowore shared the news on his “X” account, stating, “I have just discovered that Dele Farotimi was taken into custody by the Nigerian Police due to a petition from Tony Elumelu of UBA Group claiming that Dele defamed him.”
Sowore emphasized the need for the Nigerian police to recognize that their institution should not be exploited for personal vendettas, asserting that Nigerian citizens would no longer accept such misuse. He urged the police at Zone 2 in Lagos to release Barrister Dele Farotimi without delay.
This arrest came after Farotimi publicly expressed concerns about a potential police scheme to lure and abduct him in connection with Elumelu’s complaint, even though he had complied with a prior invitation from the police. Additionally, Farotimi alleged that senior lawyer Afe Bababola had coordinated with law enforcement to facilitate his arrest and transport him to Ekiti State for legal proceedings.
Farotimi, known for his vocal critiques of government officials and advocacy for the populace, has encountered similar issues in the past. In November, he informed reporters about attempts by the police to kidnap him, shortly after receiving an invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos on November 11. When he attended the invitation on November 13, he was reportedly confronted with a defamation complaint filed by a lawyer acting on Elumelu’s behalf.
In a separate statement, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has denied any connection between its chairman, Tony Elumelu, and the arrest of Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian police.
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