Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the detention of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who is being prosecuted in Ado Ekiti for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. Speaking on International Human Rights Day, Atiku described Farotimi’s arrest as a blatant violation of constitutional rights and a troubling example of Nigeria’s climate of impunity.
Atiku noted that Farotimi is accused under a non-existent cyberbullying law in Ekiti State and alleged that such laws are being misused to silence dissenting voices, journalists, and opposition figures. He urged Nigerian leaders to honor their constitutional duty to protect citizens’ rights, emphasizing that respect for these rights is vital to sustaining democracy. Farotimi’s detention has drawn widespread criticism from human rights advocates and civil society groups, highlighting ongoing threats to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
