Nigerians have expressed outrage after human rights activist Dele Farotimi appeared in handcuffs at the Ekiti State High Court.
Farotimi was escorted to the court on Monday by officers of the Nigeria Police Force following his arrest in Lagos last week by the Ekiti State Police Command.
His arrest stemmed from a defamation lawsuit filed by 95-year-old Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, over claims made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
During the court session, Farotimi was granted bail under strict conditions. The court set bail at ₦50 million, requiring a surety with 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.”
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.”
A Twitter user, Darey, said: “Afe Babalola put Dele Farotimi in handcuffs for Defamation which is a CIVIL MATTER. Nigeria and its CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.”
