Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for a nationwide and global protest against the Nigerian judiciary and prominent legal figure Aare Afe Babalola SAN, founder of Afe Babalola University.
Sowore made the announcement via his Twitter account, rallying Nigerians and global supporters to join the protest on December 10, 2024.
In his post, Sowore emphasized the protest’s focus on press freedom, the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, and the release of lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, who is currently in custody.
AFRIPOST reports that Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian police and remanded in prison on allegations of defaming Afe Babalola SAN.
The protest, which aims to highlight perceived injustices and attacks on free speech in Nigeria, will occur across multiple locations:
Lagos: Afe Babalola Chambers
Abuja: Federal Ministry of Justice
Ekiti: Police Headquarters, Ado-Ekiti
London: King’s College Campus
In his tweet, Sowore declared, “Nigerians refuse to be SILENCED” and quoted Martin Luther King Jr., stating, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The case of Dele Farotimi has sparked widespread debate about the limits of free speech and the judiciary’s role in defamation cases.
Critics argue that Farotimi’s arrest represents an overreach by authorities and reflects broader issues within Nigeria’s legal and political systems.
The upcoming protest underscores growing public dissatisfaction and the demand for accountability from the judiciary and influential figures.
All eyes will be on December 10 to see how the movement unfolds both domestically and globally.