The Social and Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to release activist Dele Farotimi, who was reportedly arrested over alleged defamation charges.
SERAP criticized the Nigerian government’s use of criminal defamation laws, stating that such actions aim to criminalize critics and suppress freedom of expression.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), SERAP wrote:
“BREAKING: The Tinubu administration must immediately release activist Dele Farotimi who is reportedly arrested for alleged defamation.”
“Nigerian authorities should not be using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals and undermine freedom of expression.”
According to the NAIJALOG, the arrest follows a petition filed by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, accusing Farotimi of defaming his client. The activist had previously expressed concerns about alleged threats to his life from powerful elites, allegedly in collusion with security agencies and legal practitioners.
Reacting to the incident, activist Aisha Yesufu condemned the arrest and questioned the police’s role in suppressing dissent.
“What the heck is going on? Mr Dele Farotimi @DeleFarotimi arrested by police and whereabouts unknown? @PoliceNG when will you stop being a weapon of oppression?
“They want to silence voices #FreeDeleFarotimiNow,” she wrote.