Protesters expected to rally at the Ministry of Justice, Abuja, on Tuesday morning were nowhere to be found.
The demonstration was planned in support of human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, amid his ongoing legal battle with Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
The planned protest was organized by the Take It Back Movement, a group advocating against perceived injustices in Nigeria’s judiciary.
In anticipation, security operatives were deployed to the ministry’s premises early Tuesday to maintain peace and order.
Despite the high expectations, the protesters failed to arrive as of 9:00 AM, leaving the area calm but under strict surveillance.
This came after a flyer circulated online by the Take It Back Movement vowed to hold protests in major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Ado Ekiti, and even internationally in London and Toronto.
The flyer, titled “Nationwide/Global Protest Against The Nigerian Judiciary,” urged Nigerians to stand against judicial corruption and refuse to be silenced.
Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore added fuel to the fire with a passionate video posted online.
In the video, Sowore declared, “An unjust act of oppression cannot stand, no matter how ‘well presented’ it is under the colour of law.”
He vowed that the power of the people would confront those in power.
“The people intoxicated by power will be met by the power of the people on December 10!” Sowore thundered.
Despite police warnings against public gatherings, the movement insisted that the protests would hold as planned.
The protests stem from a controversial legal battle involving Dele Farotimi and elder statesman Aare Afe Babalola.
Babalola, a revered lawyer and philanthropist, alleged that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.’
Farotimi reportedly accused Babalola of corrupting Nigeria’s judiciary during an interview on a podcast hosted by broadcast journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
In response, Babalola petitioned the police, demanding an investigation into the accusations.
The police subsequently arrested Farotimi in Lagos last Tuesday and arraigned him before an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti the following day.
Farotimi faces charges related to defamation, with Babalola insisting that the law must take its course.
“I have built my reputation through years of hard work,” Babalola said. “It will not be tarnished without accountability.”
Despite JABL’s warning and the absence of protesters in Abuja, the Take It Back Movement appears undeterred.
The group’s flyer emphasized that Nigerians must demand accountability from the judiciary.
“We refuse to be silenced,” it read.
The movement also shared updates on planned protests in other cities and countries, though reports of turnout remain unclear.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with opinions divided over the legality of Farotimi’s statements and the propriety of the protests.
Some Nigerians view the protests as necessary to challenge perceived corruption in the judiciary.
Others argue that Farotimi should face the consequences of his allegations in court rather than on the streets.
“This is about justice,” said a supporter of the protests. “We cannot allow our judiciary to be manipulated by powerful individuals.”
A critic countered, “If Farotimi has evidence, let him present it in court. Protests will not solve this.”
