The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed strong disapproval over the recent arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian Police on allegations of libel.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, NBA President Afam Osigwe criticized the reported police actions, including the invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the alleged harassment of his staff and colleagues.
Osigwe pointed out that libel, the alleged offense in this case, is not classified as a criminal offense under Lagos State law.
He noted that the 2011 Criminal Law of Lagos State decriminalized defamation, shifting it to a civil matter. This move aligns with global practices that treat defamation as a civil wrong.
The NBA also expressed concern over the police’s conduct, highlighting that their authority must be exercised within legal limits, especially when investigating matters that do not constitute criminal offenses under Nigerian law.
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Furthermore, the seizure of phones and harassment of employees at Farotimi’s law firm raised alarms about the protection of legal professionals’ rights and the sanctity of legal practice.
The NBA has called for Farotimi’s immediate release, asserting that his arrest has no legal grounds in Lagos State, and demanded accountability for the actions at his law office.
They urged law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law, human rights, and the principles of justice in their operations.
