Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, by the Nigeria Police.
Peter Obi said the arrest of Farotimi, a former member of his presidential campaign council, on an allegation of defamation by the police was a gross misuse of police powers.
In a statement on Tuesday, he stated that the arrest of Farotimi was an intimidation of opposing voices.
“I just learned of the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation.
“This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria.
“I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority.
“It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency,” Obi said.
The former governor of Anambra State emphasized that Nigeria Police owe citizens protection and not suppress rights.
He noted that defamation is a matter that should be addressed in court and not through police intimidation. He stated that the resort to police was an abuse of power.
Peter Obi called for the immediate release of the human rights lawyer, Farotimi.
He further called on the Police to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force exists to protect the rights of citizens, not to suppress them. Defamation, by its nature, is a civil matter that should be addressed in court through due legal process in line with the dictates of the rule of law in a democracy.
“As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against. Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others.
“Those who feel otherwise should seek redress through the proper legal channels, not by weaponizing the police or abusing their access to authority or state power.
“The resort to police action, in this case, reeks of abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the independence and professionalism of the police as a civil force.
“I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognize that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power,” Obi added.