Taiwo Popoola
Some Nigerians have expressed anger after human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, appeared at the Ekiti State High Court in handcuffs.
Men of the Nigeria Police Force had escorted Farotimi to the court on Monday in handcuffs.
Last week, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos State by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command.
Farotimi’s arrest followed a defamation lawsuit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The 95-year-old senior lawyer accused Farotimi of defaming him in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.
During his Monday court appearance, Farotimi was granted bail under strict conditions.
The court granted the rights activist bail of N50 million with a surety of the same amount.
Reacting to the Farotimi’s court appearance, activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju posted on X: “Shame on everyone involved in this embarrassment to the legal profession.
“A lawyer in handcuffs over defamation, not armed robbery, kidnapping or any crime.
“No wonder they abducted Dele Farotimi and took him to where Baba Afe Babalola is king, Ekiti.”
Human rights activist and Lawyer Festus Ogun Wrote On Facebook: Dele Forotimi in Handcuff, Yahaya Bello Walking Majestically, a Tale of Two Justice Systems in Nigeria
Another human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, also a lawyer, said, “Can @CorrectionsNg explain why they had to handcuff @DeleFarotimi while taking him to the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti this morning for arraignment?
“This is preposterous. He did not pose any threat and did not resist being taken to court.
“Dele Farotimi is a political prisoner and will come out stronger.”
Also commenting on the development, Rinu Oduala wrote: “Dele Farotimi is put in handcuffs for an offence that doesn’t even exist in the laws. Is he a criminal or a political prisoner?
“The Nigeria Government should let us know. #FreeDeleFarotimiNow.”
