By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
All is not well in the camp of the Obidient Movement as the operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Comrade Dele Farotimi, a strong member of the Movement.
The outspoken lawyer and foremost human rights activist was said to have been picked up on Tuesday from his office at the Lekki area of Lagos state, the financial capital of Nigeria.
Reports are quoting social crusader and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, as disclosing the development through his social media, X handle (formerly twitter) suggesting that the activist, known for his lacerating criticism of President Tinubu and his government, was picked up based on a petition written by Tony Elumelu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc.
Sowore’s post on the X handle said in parts: “I just learned that Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian Police over a petition by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group alleging Dele defamed him,” also called fot the immediate release of the lawyer, stressing that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.
It added: “It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation. Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
The development is coming on the heels of Farotimi’s earlier alarm alleging threats to his life by prominent figures in the country, where he wrote: “They Want to Silence Me. I received an invitation to report to Zone 2 Command on November 13, 2024. I complied with the directive and was presented with the petition accusing him of making defamatory statements against Elumelu. Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content.”
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