Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has denounced the arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi by the Nigeria Police over allegations of defamation. In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi labeled the arrest a misuse of police authority and an attack on democratic principles and justice.
Obi argued that defamation is a civil matter that should be handled in court rather than through police actions, which he described as an abuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent. He called for Farotimi’s immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing that the Nigeria Police Force is tasked with protecting citizens’ rights, not suppressing them.
Obi also criticized the use of state power to intimidate opposing voices, highlighting his own experiences of being defamed without resorting to police actions. He urged the police to adhere to their constitutional duty to the people of Nigeria rather than serve narrow, partisan interests.