Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again criticised the arrest and detention of Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamation charges, describing the situation as a ‘pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights.’
Atiku took his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday in a statement commemorating the International Human Rights Day to condemn the lawyer’s arrest and detention, describing it as a violation of fundamental rights.
Atiku also faulted the circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s incarceration, highlighting that he was being prosecuted under a cyberbullying law that “does not exist in Ekiti State”.
“@DeleFarotimi, a lawyer and tireless advocate for human rights, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed “crime” of persistently speaking truth to power.
“His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden. More troubling still is the fact that he is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State,” Atiku stated.
The former President also expressed concerns over the weaponisation of the cyberbullying law to silence and harass contrasting voices, stating that the issue of violating human rights has become too common in Nigeria.
“His plight serves as a poignant reflection of the pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights that has become all too common in Nigeria. Yet, perhaps the most alarming of all is the weaponization of the cyberbullying law, which is being used as a tool to harass, intimidate, and silence dissenting voices in the opposition and the press,” he added.
Atiku noted on political leaders and relevant stakeholders across every area of government to respect the oath they have taken to protect the citizens and uphold the law.
“On this solemn occasion of International Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to remind our leaders at every level of government to honour the oaths they have sworn to protect and uphold the constitutionally enshrined rights of the people. Only through this commitment can we hope to nurture and strengthen our democracy,” Atiku added.
