The viral photo of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, appearing at the Ekiti State High Court in handcuffs has sparked outrage amongst Nigerians on social media.
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that Farotimi’s arrest followed a defamation lawsuit filed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola.
The popular activist is accused of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola through statements made in his recently released book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
Farotimi, who was arraigned last Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to all sixteen charges against him.
However, during his appearance in court on Monday, the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, granted the human rights lawyer, ₦50 million bail.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Alliance Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, made this known in a post on X where he revealed that Farotimi had been granted ₦50 million.
He wrote, “BREAKING: The first hurdle was crossed. @DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million naira surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The Case was Adjourned to 29 January 2025.”
Farotimi, was also escorted out of the court premises by the operatives of the Nigerian police force in handcuffs.
Reacting to the development, Nigerians via social media, slammed the police for handcuffing Farotimi, while the likes of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello strolled out of court free, despite been arraigned for fraud to the tune of N110.4billion.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili wrote, “So the gross absurdity of handcuffing @DeleFarotimi was lost on the Prisons Service? “What crime is the @NigeriaGov @PoliceNG really prosecuting @DeleFarotimi for at this stage because how did a civil matter between Dele Farotimi and Chief Babalola morph into the strongest evidence of why Citizens now sadly lack trust in and believe that our Judiciary is fully captured by Nigeria’s irresponsible political class?
“This reckless desecration of all public institutions under this administration of @officialABAT will not sustain. Never.
“The Minister of Interior- Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo @BTOofficial who is in charge of @CorrectionsNg – The Prisons – has to explain the basis of those handcuffs on Mr Farotimi and immediately take steps to correct repeat of such anomaly by overzealous officers.
“Those pushing this gross violation of Citizen-Farotimi’s constitutional rights should advise themselves now and cease pushing forward the shenanigans playing out on this matter. Enough is Enough!
Another user, ifeomast.agatha wrote: ”Animal Farm.”
pweetie_ik wrote: “Nigeria and it’s criminal justice system.” One man stole billions and is smiling while being escorted by security agents. On the other hand, another man spoke the truth to power and is in handcuffs.”
avalonokpe wrote: “Una forget to add “smiling” at the end of the sentence.”
ehhllyys wrote: “Nigeria will work. Let’s keep praying.Exactly what he talked about. The Judiciary is corrupt.”
okunenyeife_cko wrote: “These are the issues…A lot of docile people enjoying toxic relationships in leadership, being abused and cheated in leadership while they sing and dance for their abusive masters for a bag of rice and 25,000 stipend.”
napoleonedohwhisky wrote: “That is the injustice in obvious display.”
ifyogbugo1 wrote: “The oppression in this country is heart breaking tbvh.”
ujurogerz wrote: “Nigeria Na zoo normally… Mazi Nnamdi no lie.”