Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi, describing it as a calculated move by the Tinubu administration to suppress free speech.
In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku likened the arrest to tactics used during Nigeria’s military era, where dissent was silenced.
He criticized the government for involving law enforcement in a civil matter of defamation, arguing that such actions undermine democratic principles.
Atiku noted that freedom of speech and association are constitutional rights and urged the government to respect these freedoms.
He highlighted his own experience in handling defamation cases through legal channels rather than using law enforcement.
Farotimi, a vocal critic of the current administration, was reportedly arrested on defamation charges, sparking widespread outrage among civil society groups and opposition leaders.
Atiku called for his immediate release and warned that actions like these erode democracy and promote authoritarianism.
