The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed strong disapproval of the recent arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi by the Nigeria Police Force over alleged libel charges.
In a statement released on Tuesday night in Abuja, NBA President Afam Osigwe criticized the reported raid on Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of his staff and colleagues, describing the actions as a grave violation of legal principles and an assault on the legal profession.
Osigwe acknowledged the police’s authority to investigate crimes but stressed that such powers must adhere to legal boundaries and address offenses explicitly recognized under Nigerian law.
“The alleged offense of libel, for which Dele Farotimi was reportedly arrested, is not classified as a criminal offense under Lagos State laws,” Osigwe stated. He further explained that the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 had repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning with global practices that treat libel as a civil matter rather than a criminal one.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana disclosed that Farotimi was detained at his Lagos residence before being transferred to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for questioning. Falana described the arrest as baseless, emphasizing that defamation cases should be pursued through civil litigation rather than criminal proceedings.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism from Nigerians, with many condemning it as a misuse of power and a threat to freedom of expression.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of the legal profession, urging the police to act within their constitutional mandate.