It is unjust and its against the principle of natural justice for the Nigerian Police to invade and arrest human right activist – Dele Farotimi on a mere defamatory allegation that has not been proved.
Defamation is no longer a classified criminal law, the issue can be resolved without necessarily intimidating the other party with unnecessary show of power by invading his office to effect his arrest.
The police action on Dele Farotimi’s is oppressive and a misuse of power and it constitues a breach on the lawyer’s fundamental rights.
In a statement issued by the Journalist and a human right activist, defamation is no longer a criminal offence in Lagos state. The law has since been decriminalised in Lagos in 2011.
The Police legal department failed in its duty to do a thorough job to advise its operational agents on the position of law in the state to stave- off Dele’s arrest.
With this breach I hereby demand for an unconditional release of Mr. Farotimi without further delay from the police custody.
Lanre Ogundipe
Former President
Nigeria Union of Journalists/African Union of Journalists
