Farotimi expresses gratitude as Nigerians rally against his arrest, detention

Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights advocate, has expressed deep appreciation for the unwavering support he received from Nigerians during his incarceration, a testament to the country’s ability to unite in the face of injustice.

In a heartfelt message shared on YouTube and X on Sunday, Farotimi credited his newfound freedom to the unrelenting support and solidarity of Nigerians, who steadfastly stood by him throughout his challenging experience.

He said: “We stopped being human because we became Nigerians. They divided us, and we fell for it.

“Because you wouldn’t see me as a Yoruba man, you spoke for me. Because you wouldn’t see me as a Christian, you spoke for me. Nigeria couldn’t happen to me because you spoke.

“You found your voices. I became you. And in our collective, you couldn’t be silenced.

“It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil. Some years back, before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria.

“In my war against the evil empire that we all live in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know.”

Persecondnews recalls that Farotimi was remanded in custody for 21 days by the Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, following accusations of criminally defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”.

These claims led to Farotimi being arraigned at an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and later faced 12 additional charges filed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, at an Ekiti Federal High Court on December 6.

On December 21, the Magistrates’ court granted Farotimi bail under stringent conditions, including a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own property), surrender of his passport, and a prohibition on granting media interviews after his release.

He secured his release on December 24, after being granted bail of N30 million by the court.

Meanwhile, Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, December 9, granted Dele Farotimi N50 million bail with one surety in a suit filed by the IGP over alleged cybercrime.

Also, on December 11, Justices Peter Kekemeke and Mufutau Adegbola of the High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and Oyo State, respectively issued interim orders halting the circulation of Dele Farotimi’s book and directing security agencies to seize available copies.