Peter Obi Classifies Dele Farotimi’s arrest as against his Freedom of Speech and Expression
Former presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi responds to the arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi for a book he published titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice.”
The arrest of the human rights activist was orchestrated from a petition filed by prominent Ekiti man Chef Afe Babalola.
The former presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has released a statement regarding the matter.
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His statement reads below
The handling of the case involving human rights lawyer @DeleFarotomi runs foul of every Democratic norm that guarantees freedom of expression and innocence until found guilty before a law court.
It’s curious that the Nigeria Police, who are struggling with a barrage of cr!mes all over the place, now indulge in civil cases on half complaints and rush to court at the speed of light.
Hearing that Dele Farotimi has been remanded in prison over an allegation of defamat!on is very disturbing. This development raises serious concerns about the state of justice and freedom of expression in our country, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the alarming rise in criminal activities across the nation.
At a time when national efforts should be directed toward addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges, it is disheartening to see the focus shifted to cases that appear to stifle critical voices.
Matters of defamat!on are civil and should be treated as such, not turned into a tool for intimidation or the erosion of fundamental rights.
The strength of any democracy lies in its ability to tolerate differing opinions and uphold the rule of law without bias.
I once again call on the authorities to ensure that justice is served impartially and to prioritize the urgent task of combating the real threats plaguing our nation. -PO
