WATCH THE VIDEO HERE HUMAN rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been arrested in Lagos over alleged criminal libel, according to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana. Falana, who confirmed the arrest today, called for Farotimi’s “unconditional release” from what he described as “illegal custody.” “I just confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested today in Lagos for alleged criminal libel,” Falana stated. He emphasized that Lagos State is one of two Nigerian states that have entirely decriminalized defamation, citing a Supreme Court ruling in Aviomoh v Commissioner of Police & Anor. (2021). Justice Helen Ogunwumiju had affirmed that defamation was removed as a criminal offense in the Criminal Law of Lagos in 2011 and the Edo State Criminal Law Bill in 2020. The police are yet to issue an official statement on the case. Recall that Farotimi alleged that there were attempts to silence him after receiving a police summons. He shared on social media that he was shown a petition accusing him of defamation, which he deemed baseless but still addressed its contents.
Dele Farotimi arrested over alleged criminal libel – Falana
