The Pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, has condemned what it referred to as the “abduction” of civil rights activist Dele Farotimi, and called for his immediate release.
Recall that Farotimi was reportedly arrested by the Ekiti Police Command and remanded in prison, following his appearance in Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court yesterday.
Previously, the activist had raised concerns about a plan to abduct him to Ekiti State over allegations of defamation related to his book.
In response to the arrest, Afenifere on Monday issued a statement from its Deputy Leader and National Publicity Secretary, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and Prince Justice Faloye, condemning the act.
The association, in the statement, said: “Afenifere condemns this act of the Nigeria Police as illegal, crude, uncivilised and most unacceptable in a country that lays claims to democratic practices.
“We hereby call for the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, or that he be taken to court immediately, as he is presumed innocent of all charges; the proof of which is on the burden of his accusers, no matter how highly placed.
“Dele Farotimi is a known critic of the government, an anti-corruption crusader in the Judiciary and an advocate of equity and true federalism, and should not be subjected to terror under the guise of interrogation for nebulous allegations by the security forces and other agencies of Government. There are rumours that the Police and its sponsors are planning to use the instrumentality and the technicality of the law to detain and remand him in prison for 30, or more, days”.
“Afenifere once again implores all believers in democracy and civil rights to rise against this habitual crude and uncivilised style of our law enforcement officers, which are not quite dissimilar from those of criminal gangs with no regard for the rights of citizens”, it stated.
