Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, describing it as an alarming throwback to the authoritarian practices of Nigeria’s military era.
Atiku criticized the use of law enforcement to address a case of alleged defamation, describing it as an egregious abuse of power and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic values.
In a statement released on Wednesday, he argued that such disputes are civil matters that should be handled in the courts, not through the coercive involvement of state security forces.
Atiku likened the Police’s intervention to “using a sledgehammer to swat a fly,” emphasizing that freedom of speech and association are constitutionally guaranteed rights.
He accused the current administration of orchestrating a campaign to suppress dissent and intimidate critics, warning that these actions could erode democratic principles and lead to the establishment of a one-party state.
Drawing from his personal experience, Atiku noted that he faced defamation in 2019 but chose to pursue legal remedies through the courts rather than resorting to law enforcement.
The former vice president highlighted this as a precedent for handling such issues within the bounds of the law.
Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi, he urged President Bola Tinubu to uphold democratic values and respect for fundamental human rights.
He stated, “The repeated use of arrests to silence critics contradicts the principles of democracy. The administration must be reminded that freedom of expression is not a privilege but a right enshrined in our Constitution.”
The arrest of Farotimi has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups and the legal community, who have joined calls for his release and urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law.
