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Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the prolonged incarceration of human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
Atiku described Farotimi’s detention as a stark example of the growing climate of impunity and human rights violations in Nigeria.
A court ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Tuesday was adjourned to December 20, leaving the lawyer in custody for another 10 days.
Farotimi, an outspoken advocate for social justice, was remanded on defamation charges.
“Dele Farotimi, a dedicated lawyer and advocate for justice, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime, but for the so-called ‘crime’ of speaking truth to power,” Atiku stated.
He explained that the incident is a glaring reflection of the alarming disregard for citizens’ rights that continues to plague the nation.
Atiku, in a statement released on Tuesday via his X handle, disclosed that Farotimi’s only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather keep hidden.
According to Atiku, “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. 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 said, “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,” he added.