Former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, describing it as a disturbing reminder of Nigeria’s authoritarian past.
In a statement, Abubakar criticized the involvement of law enforcement in what he termed a civil matter of defamation, calling it a “gross misuse of power.” He likened the police intervention to “using a sledgehammer to swat a fly” and warned that such actions reflect a growing trend of suppressing free speech under the current administration.
“This alarming incident, particularly the abduction—or rather, arrest—of Dele Farotimi, signals a calculated attempt by this administration to silence dissent and intimidate critics,” he said. “The objective is clear: to erode democratic principles and pave the way for a one-party state.”
Abubakar reminded the Tinubu administration that freedom of speech and association are constitutional rights, not privileges. He emphasized that defamation cases should be addressed through the judiciary, not through state coercion.
“In 2019, when I was defamed, I did not resort to using the Police to intimidate the individual involved. Instead, I sought legal redress in court, where the matter is currently being addressed,” he noted.
The former Vice President urged the government to respect democratic values and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Dele Farotimi. “The misuse of law enforcement as a tool for personal vendettas undermines public trust and contradicts the principles of justice and democracy,” he added.
