Press Statement :Free Dele Farotimi Now
WORKERS AND YOUTH SOLIDARITY NETWORK (WYSN)
PRESS SATEMENT
10-12-2024
2024 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION
FREE DELE FAROTIMI NOW
END ATTACKS ON DISSENTS
The Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) joins people around the world in marking this year’s International Human Rights Day celebration. Unfortunately, as we write, the state of human rights in Nigeria remains dire. The federal government continues to attack peaceful protests, with the police frequently arresting and detaining protesters.
We condemn the ongoing attacks on dissent in Nigeria. The Nigeria Police Force has become an instrument of oppression in the hands of a few individuals to torment others. Cases of illegal arrests and detentions remain a subject of widespread discussion in the media and on social media. These blatant acts of oppression have gravely undermined the democratic rights of countless individuals.
It is time for Nigerians to unite and stand against these attacks on human rights and the democratic freedoms of the people. One such case is the arrest and detention of Mr. Dele Farotimi on Wednesday, November 4, 2024.
The police claimed they received a petition from Mr. Afe Babalola alleging that Dele Farotimi defamed him in a book titled The Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Acting on this petition, the police arrested Dele Farotimi at his Lagos office, transferred him to Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State, and arraigned him at the Magistrate Court, where his bail application was denied, and he was remanded in prison.
To our great surprise, despite widespread public outcry and condemnation of the Nigeria Police’s conduct, the police proceeded to file fresh charges against Mr. Farotimi at another Federal High Court, where he was arraigned on Monday, December 9, 2024.
The court granted Mr. Dele Farotimi bail with stringent conditions, including one surety, a ₦50 million bail bond, a built residence in Ekiti State with the title deed furnished, and four passport photographs of both the Defendant and the surety, along with the Defendant’s international passport submitted to the court.
Adding to the indignity, Nigerians were again outraged to see Mr. Farotimi brought to court in handcuffs, a clear attempt to humiliate him.
We also wish to note that Mr. Dele Farotimi’s initial trial at the Magistrate Court was adjourned until December 20, as the ruling on his bail application was postponed without any stated reason.
The actions of the police are reprehensible and must be condemned by all Nigerians who stand for justice. The Nigeria Police Force continues to serve as a neocolonial tool in the hands of corrupt politicians. Meanwhile, in a stark contrast, just days ago, Mr. Yahaya Bello—after months in hiding—appeared in court with a convoy and supporters for his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of mismanaging nearly ₦100 billion of Kogi State funds.
We challenge Mr. Afe Babalola and the Nigeria Police to cease their manipulation of the judiciary and their abuse of Mr. Farotimi’s human rights. If Mr. Babalola believes he has been defamed, he should pursue legal redress without using state apparatus to oppress a Nigerian exercising his democratic rights.
We stand for truth and believe that a so-called elder statesman like Afe Babalola should not resort to using state power to oppress the people.
This attempt to silence Mr. Dele Farotimi is a calculated effort to intimidate courageous Nigerians from exposing corruption and advocating for a better system. Over the past few days, social media and individuals have revealed additional allegations and inadequacies involving Mr. Babalola, showing that there may be little reputation left to protect.
We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to resist these neocolonial attacks and the efforts to silence dissent.
For us at WYSN, we stand firmly in solidarity with Dele Farotimi. We oppose the Gestapo-like manner in which he was abducted, taken to Ado Ekiti, and subsequently arraigned and remanded in prison. We will join all legal and political actions to end impunity in Nigeria and stop the blatant injustice being meted out to the people.
Iortyom Moses
Secretary
WYSN