NCos fails to give reason for handcuffing Farotimi

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has failed to give a reason why activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was brought to the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, in handcuffs on Monday.

Farotimi is being tried after a petition was filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) who claimed the lawyer defamed him in his book, titled, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

The defendant, who was arrested in Lagos and taken to Ekiti for the trial, was granted bail in the sum of N50 million.

Photos from Monday’s court proceedings show Farotimi being led in handcuffs by NCoS officials, sparking outrage from Nigerians.

Former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, in a post on X, said the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo, and the NCoS have “to explain the basis of those handcuffs on Mr Farotimi and immediately take steps to correct repeat of such anomaly by overzealous officers.”

Also, a lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, questioned the basis for the handcuffs, saying Farotimi “did not pose any threat and did not resist being taken to court.”

In her remarks, activist Rinu Oduala said, “Farotimi is put in handcuffs for an offence that doesn’t even exist in the laws. Is he a criminal or a political prisoner?”

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the NCoS, Abubakar Umar, said he was not aware that Farotimi was taken to court in handcuffs.

When made aware of photos circulating on social media showing the lawyer in handcuffs, Umar said he was “going to reach out to the command to confirm if that really took place or not before I can respond.”

He said investigation will reveal if such did happen and why it happened, adding that, “I know that it is not in our tradition to do such.”

When our correspondent reached out to Umar 15 hours after he promised to investigate the matter and revert, the NCoS spokesman said he was busy and ended the call.