Dele Farotimi’s ordeal a poignant reflection of pervasive climate of impunity – Atiku 

Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian vice president, has slammed the Bola Tinubu administration over the prosecution of human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, describing it as poignant reflection of the pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights that has become all too common in Nigeria.

Recall that Farotimi who is facing defamation charges brought against him by Afe Babalola, SAN, was earlier on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by a Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

Reacting to the development, Atiku noted in a statement shared via his X account, that Farotimi’s only offence is his penchant for speaking truth to power, while noting that he is being trying under law that doesn’t exist.

“Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and tireless advocate for human rights, now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed “crime” of persistently speaking truth to power,” Atiku said.

“His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden. More troubling still is the fact that he is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State.

“His plight serves as a poignant reflection of the pervasive climate of impunity and the blatant violation of citizens’ rights that has become all too common in Nigeria. Yet, perhaps the most alarming of all is the weaponization of the cyberbullying law, which is being used as a tool to harass, intimidate, and silence dissenting voices in the opposition and the press.

“On this solemn occasion of International Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to remind our leaders at every level of government to honour the oaths they have sworn to protect and uphold the constitutionally enshrined rights of the people. Only through this commitment can we hope to nurture and strengthen our democracy.”