Victor Ezeja
Former Nigeria’s vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has again condemned the continued detention of human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, in prison over alleged defamation of the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, Atiku said Farotimi is languishing in jail not for any serious crime but for consistently speaking truth to power.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAtiku stated: “Dele Farotimi a lawyer and tireless advocate for human rights, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed “crime” of persistently speaking truth to power. His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden.
“More troubling still is the fact that he is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State.
He said the plight of the embattled human rights lawyer reflects the level of impunity and brazen violation of the fundamental rights of citizens in the country.
The former vice president expressed concerns about what he called “weaponization of the cyberbullying law” as a tool to intimidate, harass and silence dissenting voices and the press.
Atiku’s statement comes as a Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Tuesday ordered that Farotimi be sent back to prison after adjourning ruling on the bail application to 20 December 2024.
READ ALSO: Court Makes U-turn, Remands Farotimi In Prison
As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day, Atiku called on leaders at every level of government in the country to “honour the oaths they have sworn to protect and uphold the constitutionally enshrined rights of the people.”
He emphasised that it is only through such commitment that democracy in the country can be nurtured and strengthened.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
