Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have reportedly arrested human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over allegations of defaming the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu.
He was an official Spokesperson of the Labour Party’s Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign in the run up to the 2023 elections.
Farotimi’s arrest was revealed by the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.
Sowore disclosed that Elumelu filed a petition accusing Farotimi of defamation.
He called for the lawyer’s immediate release, emphasising that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.
Sowore 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.”
Meanwhile, Farotimi had earlier on Tuesday alleged that some powerful Nigerians and legal experts are colluding with the security agencies in the country to get him abducted.
Alleging that his life and that of his close associates are currently under threat by undisclosed individuals who want to silence him, Farotimi, in a statement he personally signed, narrated how he got information on November 11 that an invitation letter from the Zone 2, Police Command, was delivered to his office.
According to the lawyer, the letter requested that he should report to the police station on November 13, at 10:00 AM.
On the said date, he said he was accompanied by his legal counsel and arrived at the station at 9:45am.
The politician claimed that, at the station, he was presented with a petition written by a lawyer on behalf of Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, UBA, accusing him of defamation.
Farotimi said, “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content”.
“Subsequently, I met with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP and the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone 2. After discussions, I was released on bail on self-recognisance and asked to return to the station on Thursday, the 21st of November 2024.
“Following this, I informed my friend, Pastor Sam Aiyedogbon of Realm of Glory International Churches, about the incident.
“On Saturday, the 16th of November 2024, Pastor Sam informed me that one of the pastors in his church, John Ntekume, had been abducted by the police, interrogated, and then returned to the church.
“He was coerced to write a statement along with another pastor, Obiorah Ochokwu.
“The police showed them a petition written by Chief Afe Babalola in Ekiti State, addressed to the Ekiti State Police Command, and demanded that they lure me to the church to facilitate my arrest.
“The pastors informed the police that they had no means of doing so, as I am not a hidden person and do not have a direct relationship with them.
“They explained that I had preached at their church as a guest of their senior pastor and left. From their accounts, it became evident that the officers were from the Ekiti State Police Command.
“I found it perplexing that the police would attempt to lure me through such means, especially since I had already reported to Zone 2 on the 13th of November 2024 and was scheduled to return on the 21st of November 2024.”
