News
‘Miscarriage of justice,’ Atiku condemns Farotimi’s detention, trial for alleged defamation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the detention of human rights activist, Dele Farotimi.
In a statement marking the International Human Rights Day posted on his X handle on Tuesday, the former vive president described Farotimi’s ordeal as a stark example of impunity and systemic rights violations in Nigeria.
Farotimi, a prominent critic of government policies and advocate for justice, is standing trial for alleged defamation of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola, at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
Atiku wrote: “Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power.
READ ALSO: Court denies human rights activist, Dele Farotimi bail on defamation charges
“His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden.”
He alleged that the lawyer is being prosecuted under a law that does not exist in Ekiti State.
The ex-vice president also described the situation as a gross miscarriage of justice and a flagrant violation of constitutional rights.
“This is troubling. He is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State. This reflects the impunity that has become all too common in Nigeria,” Atiku added.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.