The Obidient Movement has demanded the immediate release of imprisoned human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, saying his arrest raises questions about the “misuse of power and suppression of speech in Nigeria.”
The Obidient Movement said that continued incarceration of the human rights and good governance advocate may force the group and some like-minded Nigerians to “invoke our fundamental rights as citizens to engage in a series of public protests across the country to challenge this gross abuse of power and neglect of the people.”
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Monday by policemen from Ekiti State Command and whisked to Ado Ekiti following which he was arraigned on Wednesday at a Chief Magistrates Court, Ado Ekiti Division.
The Magistrate Court ordered the remand of Farotimi, in the State’s Correctional Centre. He was arraigned in court over alleged defamation of character following his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ where he alleged, among others, that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, had compromised the Supreme Court.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, after listening to the police prosecutor, Samson Osubu, who filed a 16-count allegations to which Farotimi pleaded not guilty, adjourned the matter till December 10, 2024.
Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, said in a statement that the “gestapo arrest” of Farotimi, an official Spokesperson of the Labour Party’s Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign in the run up to the 2023 elections, should be a wake up call to the International Community to note the “disturbing development and to stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and all those who are fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria.”
The full statement by Dr Yunusa reads: “We, the Obidient Movement crusaders, express our deepest concern and shock regarding the gestapo arrest of Obidient Dele Farotimi, a renowned human rights Lawyer, an activist and an advocate for Good Governance . His detention, allegedly stemming from a petition filed to Inspector General of the police, raising serious questions about the misuse of power and the suppression of freedom of speech in Nigeria.
“This government inflicted pain on the Nigerian people by increasing the cost of fuel prices with impunity from #165 to # 1,100k and above depending on ones location, thereby increasing the cost of food items and other essential commodities directly linked to purchase of Premium motor spirit with absolutely nothing to show for it. Now people can no longer afford a square meal in a day not to talk of 3 square meals in their houses, Civil Servants are impoverished, the Nigeria people are living in total hunger with poverty increasing beyond measures. The Nigerian people are making frantic efforts to survive with no certainty of what tomorrow brings.
“In addition, they floated the Naira, increased the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar from the rate of one dollar to one thousand eight hundred naira as the case may be which has trickle down effect in all purchases and consumption without being creative in trying to revamp, revive our industries, support Agriculture and boost the Economy. Businesses are collapsing due to cost of running them, start up funds for SMEs are high with interest rate raised to 27.5%….where does this Administration wants the common man to face? Insecurity has skyrocketted due to hunger, malnutrition, our health sector is in total shambles to mention but a few.
“Similarly, the unprecedented increase in electricity tariff without the service to render had affected tremendously the economy and the living standard of the Nigerians.The purported tax reform which has a sinister motive will further impoverish the people without commensurate productive reform that can help the nations economy to thrive.
“There is hunger in the land, the so-called minimum wage for the Nigeria people cannot afford a bag of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil etc sadly but the bitter truth is that when salaries are paid, the money gets finished or spent in advance, infact most Civil/Public servants affirmed to me that their salaries last for just 48 hours while others claimed it extends to one weeks (7 Days) and they proceed to borrow from online loan lenders (loan shark), unfortunately, people can no longer take care of their basic needs, security, transportation to work, food, education and health are at the lowest ebb, infact, most families with one or two children have decided to put a stop to procreation (child birth) due to the unwanthom hardship.
“As a vocal advocate for human rights, Dele Farotimi has consistently spoken out against injustice and championed the rights of marginalized communities. His arrest appears to be a blatant attempt to silence him and intimidate others who dare to challenge the status quo.
“On this note, we unequivocally condemn this nefarious act of abuse of power and demand that the Nigerian Police respect Dele Farotimi’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in section 40 of chapter4 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended . We urge the Nigerian authorities to ensure his immediate and unconditional release, guaranteeing that his rights are protected throughout the process.
“Failure to release him immediately , we shall invoke our fundamental rights as citizens to engage in a series of public protests across the country to challenge this gross abuse of power and neglect of the people.
“Furthermore, we call on the International Community to take note of this disturbing development and to stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and all those who are fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria. The protection of human rights and the promotion of free speech are essential to a healthy democracy, and we must collectively defend these principles.
“Finally, we are aware of the one by one arrest which is targeted towards the arrest of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi for speaking truth to power, we want to assure you that we will resist any form of cruelty and flagrant abuse of power against Mr Peter Obi.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, we must be freed of tyranny and impunity and Democracy Must be protected. We stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and demand his immediate release. FreeDeleFarotimiNow!”
