By Abigail Philip David
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been arrested in Lagos over allegations of criminal libel, according to Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana.
Falana, in a statement on Tuesday, demanded Farotimi’s immediate and unconditional release, describing the arrest as illegal.
“I just confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel,” Falana stated. “I demand his unconditional release from illegal custody. Lagos State is one of two states in Nigeria that have fully decriminalized defamation.”
Falana referenced a Supreme Court ruling in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor. (2021) that upheld the decriminalization of defamation in Lagos, noting Justice Helen Ogunwumiju’s declaration that defamation was removed from Lagos State’s Criminal Law in 2011.
Farotimi Alleges Harassment
Before his arrest, Farotimi revealed on social media that he had been invited by the police over a petition accusing him of defamation.
“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” he wrote. “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content.”
He also alleged that his arrest was part of a plot to silence him.
Police Yet to Respond
As of the time of this report, the Lagos State Police Command has not released an official statement on the arrest or the allegations.
