HURIWA Criticizes Dele Farotimi’s Bail Conditions, Treatment – News – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent treatment of human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, who appeared at the Ekiti State High Court in handcuffs over a defamation suit filed by renowned lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.

The group described the incident as a gross violation of the criminal justice system and a violation of Farotima’s fundamental rights.

Farotimi, who was arrested last week in Lagos State by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command, was on Monday led to court in handcuffs, sparking widespread outrage.

The arrest follows a defamation suit initiated by 95-year-old legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, over alleged defamatory statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

But HURIWA national coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Tuesday, described the use of the police to prosecute Farotimi as a disturbing misuse of public resources and a blatant disregard for due process.

The human rights group argued that the defamation case was a purely civil matter and should have been handled through a civil lawsuit, not through the intimidation of police arrests and detentions.

According to the group, the alleged actions of Chief Afe Babalola in using the machinery of the Nigeria Police to arrest and humiliate Dele Farotimi is a shameful abuse of power and privilege.

“This is a clear abuse of the criminal justice system to suppress dissent and punish legitimate free speech. Defamation is not a criminal offense in Nigeria but a civil matter and the police have nothing to do with it,” the statement said.

HURIWA also criticized the bail conditions granted to Farotima, calling them excessively harsh and punitive.

The court set bail at €50 million with the same bond, but the rights group argued that the high bail amount was disproportionate to the nature of the alleged offense and appeared to be designed to further punish and humiliate Farotimi.

“The bail conditions imposed on Dele Farotimi are unfair, excessive and totally inappropriate for the defamation charges.

This is a deliberate attempt to silence his voice and intimidate others who dare to challenge entrenched interests. Such conditions undermine the principles of justice and honesty on which our legal system is built,” it added.

Condemning the handcuffing of Farotimi, HURIVA emphasized that it was an unnecessary show of force and a violation of his dignity, noting that Farotimi did not pose a threat to public safety, did not resist arrest and was detained for an alleged non-violent crime.

“It is terrible that a lawyer and a respectable human rights defender is put in handcuffs as a dangerous criminal.

This is not only humiliating, but a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and intimidate others who stand for truth and justice. The use of handcuffs in this context is both illegal and unethical and those responsible should be held accountable,” it added.

HURIWA called for an immediate investigation into the actions of the police officers involved in Farotimi’s arrest and detention, as well as a review of bail conditions.

The group called on Chief Afe Babalola to withdraw the suit and reach a resolution through dialogue or civil litigation, stressing that legal practitioners should lead by example in upholding justice and equity.

“This incident highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent the abuse of police powers and the criminalization of civil disputes. We call on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other professional bodies to speak out against this injustice and ensure the rule of law,” it added.

HURIWA also called on Nigerians to rally in support of Farotimi and other activists who are being harassed and intimidated for speaking truth to power. The group emphasized that a society cannot prosper if people’s rights are violated by those in power.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting human rights and holding governments and influential people accountable for their actions, insisting that the rule of law must never be sacrificed on the altar of personal vendetta or political expediency.

According to the group, the arbitrary arrest and prosecution of Dele Farotimi is a wake-up call for all Nigerians to unite against oppression.

“We must hold accountable those who abuse their influence to suppress freedom of expression and ensure justice in this and other similar cases,” it added.