The Social and Economic Rights Accountability Project (SERAP) and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore has called for the release of activist Dele Farotimi.

The Nigeria Police Force from Zone 2 Command in Lagos arrested Farotimi following a defamation petition.

SERAP cautioned the Nigerian government against using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals.

“Nigerian authorities should not be using criminal defamation laws to turn critics into criminals and undermine freedom of expression,” SERAP said.

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Meanwhile, Farotimi’s arrest was revealed by Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

Sowore called for his immediate release, emphasising that the police should not be used to settle personal disputes.

“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation,” he said.

“Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”

Before his arrest, Farotimi alleged threats to his life, accusing Nigerian elites of collaborating with security agencies and legal practitioners to intimidate him.

Earlier, Farotimi said he honoured a police invitation with his legal counsel.

“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” Farotimi stated. “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content,” he said.