Farotimi expresses gratitude to Nigerians after release from detention

Human rights activist Dele Farotimi has expressed deep gratitude to Nigerians for their overwhelming support during his detention over alleged defamation charges.

Farotimi was arrested on December 3 at his Lagos office by police officers from the Ekiti Command and transported to Ekiti State. He faced charges related to allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

After spending over three weeks in detention, Farotimi was released on December 24 after meeting stringent bail conditions, including a ₦30 million bond, providing two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), surrendering his passport, and agreeing not to grant media interviews following his release.

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore shared the news of Farotimi’s release. Sowore wrote, “I am pleased to report that Dele Farotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti State and is now returning home to Lagos.”

In a live session after his release, Farotimi reflected on the outpouring of support from Nigerians, which he described as a beacon of hope and humanity.

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“We stop being humans because we became Nigerians. Nigerians overlooked my ethnicity, my religion, and spoke for me,” he said, visibly emotional.

Farotimi attributed his release to the unity and advocacy demonstrated by Nigerians, saying, “Nigeria couldn’t happen to me because people spoke for me.”

His heartfelt words underscored his appreciation for the solidarity shown by citizens across diverse backgrounds, highlighting the collective power of Nigerians in standing against injustice.

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