Detention of Farotimi, grim reminder of darkish days of army dictatorship – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the arrest and detention of outstanding lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi.

He described the incident as a troubling reflection of authoritarian tendencies paying homage to Nigeria’s army dictatorship period.

In an announcement issued on social media, Atiku expressed outrage at Farotimi’s detention, reportedly over allegations of defamation.

He emphasised that such accusations ought to ordinarily be addressed by the judiciary, not by the intervention of legislation enforcement businesses.

“The arrest and detention of Dele Farotimi is unequivocally condemned,” Atiku acknowledged.

“It serves as a grim reminder of the darkish days of army dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissent. The Police’s involvement in what is actually a civil matter is an overreach of unimaginable proportions,” he added.

Atiku criticised the transfer as a part of a broader pattern by the Tinubu administration to suppress dissent and erode democratic freedoms.

He warned that such actions had been geared toward silencing opposition voices and stifling the press, resulting in what he described as a possible descent right into a one-party state.

“Freedom of speech and affiliation are usually not privileges however constitutionally enshrined rights,” he declared.

“If anybody feels wronged by defamatory phrases, they need to search redress in court docket, not by the coercive energy of the state. Utilizing the Police for private vendettas is an appalling abuse of energy,” he stated.

Citing his personal expertise, Abubakar highlighted that in 2019, when he was defamed, he opted for a judicial decision moderately than involving legislation enforcement.

He known as for the speedy and unconditional launch of Farotimi, urging the administration to respect democratic ideas and uphold the rule of legislation.

Farotimi’s arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights teams and activists, who argue that it represents an alarming assault on freedom of expression in Nigeria.