Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi, describing the incident as a troubling echo of past authoritarian regimes.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku expressed deep concern, noting that Farotimi’s arrest serves as “a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when dissent was met with tyranny.”
He added, “Dele is reportedly being accused of defamation — an offence that, under normal circumstances, should not involve law enforcement. The Police’s involvement in such cases is akin to using a sledgehammer to swat a fly, a blatant overreach of power.”
Atiku criticized the government’s growing pattern of suppressing freedom of expression, stating that the recent detention of Farotimi reflects an “insidious agenda to stifle fundamental rights and intimidate opposition voices and the press, paving the way for a one-party state.”
The former Vice President reminded the Tinubu administration that such actions undermine democratic principles, emphasizing that freedom of speech and association are constitutionally protected rights, not privileges.
He further argued that individuals who feel aggrieved by defamatory statements should seek legal redress through the courts rather than resort to law enforcement as a tool for personal vendettas.
Recalling his own experience, Atiku said, “In 2019, I was defamed. Instead of involving the Police, I pursued justice in court, where I continue to seek redress for the damage to my name and reputation.”
Concluding his statement, Atiku called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi, condemning the arrest as an abuse of power.