The Social and Economic Rights Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to release activist Dele Farotimi.
SERAP cautioned the Nigerian government against using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals.
Posting on X, SERAP wrote: “BREAKING: The Tinubu administration must immediately release activist Dele Farotimi who is reportedly arrested for alleged defamation.
“Nigerian authorities should not be using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals and undermine freedom of expression.”
According to reports, men of the Nigeria Police Force from Zone 2 Command in Lagos arrested Farotimi following a defamation petition filed by Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group.
The arrest comes amidst ongoing tensions, with Farotimi previously raising concerns over alleged threats to his life by influential figures within Nigerian elite circles, purportedly in collaboration with security agencies and legal professionals.
On her part, Aisha Yesufu wondered when the police would stop being a weapon of oppression.
“What the heck is going on? Mr Dele Farotimi @DeleFarotimi arrested by police and whereabouts unknown? @PoliceNG when will you stop being a weapon of oppression?
“They want to silence voices #FreeDeleFarotimiNow,” she wrote.
