Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi.

In a statement released on Wednesday, 4, December 2024, Atiku expressed deep concern over what he termed as the misuse of law enforcement to stifle dissent and suppress free expression.

Joining Peter Obi, he described it as a disturbing reminder of Nigeria’s authoritarian past.

Farotimi, a vocal critic of the government, was reportedly detained on allegations of defamation, a civil matter that Atiku argues should not involve the Police.

“The Police’s intervention in such matters is nothing less than the use of a sledgehammer to swat a fly, an overreach of unimaginable proportions,” Atiku stated.

The former Vice President highlighted the troubling implications of Farotimi’s arrest, calling it emblematic of an agenda to erode fundamental rights and silence opposition voices.

He warned that such actions risk undermining Nigeria’s democracy by paving the way for a one-party state.

“Freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights,” Atiku asserted.

Atiku emphasized that redress for defamation should be sought through the courts, not through police intervention.

He then recounted his own experience in 2019 when he was defamed, choosing to pursue legal action rather than involving law enforcement.

Atiku further criticized the Tinubu administration, describing the recent spate of arrests targeting critics as a direct contradiction to democratic principles.

He called for the immediate and unconditional release of Farotimi and urged the government to respect the rights of all Nigerians.