Police arrest Dele Farotimi over defamation claims

Nigerian human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has reportedly been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.

According to reports, Farotimi’s arrest on Tuesday followed a petition filed by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group, accusing the lawyer of defamation.

Omoyele Sowore, a 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), hinted at Farotimi’s arrest in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday.

He wrote: “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. 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.”

Farotimi previously alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force have developed a plan to abduct him in Lagos.

He accused the police of using deceptive methods to lure him into custody, despite his willingness to honor an invitation to the Zone 2 police headquarters in Lagos.

According to reports, Farotimi made this claim during a press conference on Monday. The public affairs analyst revealed that the police’s actions are in response to a petition reportedly filed by Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

On Monday, the 11th of November 2024, I was informed that an invitation letter from Zone 2 police command was delivered to my office,” he said.

“The letter requested that I report to the station on Wednesday, the 13th of November 2024, at 10:00 AM.

“Accompanied by my legal counsel, I arrived at the station at 9:45 AM on the stated date.

“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer on behalf of Mr. Tony Elumelu, accusing me of defamation.