In a dramatic twist to the ongoing saga surrounding human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi’s detention, activist Omoyele Sowore has strongly criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for his actions in the case.
Sowore, who was a 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), accused Obi of undermining the struggle against judicial corruption by reportedly “begging” on Farotimi’s behalf.
Farotimi, an outspoken lawyer known for his advocacy for social justice, was arrested and remanded on defamation charges. The charges stem from his criticisms of Nigeria’s government and judicial system. He was detained after being accused of cybercrime and defamation related to online statements.
The case has attracted widespread attention, with many human rights activists rallying behind Farotimi, calling for his immediate release.
On Monday, Peter Obi, alongside prominent Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola, reportedly met to discuss Farotimi’s case. It was alleged that Obi asked Babalola to intervene on Farotimi’s behalf, hoping to secure the lawyer’s release.
But Sowore, known for his outspokenness against government actions he perceives as unjust, was quick to criticize Obi’s move. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sowore condemned the meeting, claiming that Obi’s appeal had only prolonged Farotimi’s detention.
“See what begging has done,” Sowore wrote, referring to Obi’s reported plea for Farotimi’s release. “Dele Farotimi has been sent back to prison for the next 10 days. See what begging has done? #FreeDeleFarotimiNow,” he added.
The court had been set to rule on Farotimi’s bail application on Tuesday, but the ruling was adjourned until December 20. This decision means that Farotimi will remain in custody for an additional 10 days, sparking further outrage from activists.
Sowore argued that Peter Obi’s attempt to appeal to Afe Babalola was not only futile but also damaging to the ongoing fight for justice. He expressed his belief that such actions contributed to the very system of judicial oppression that Farotimi and others have been fighting against.
In his statement, Sowore compared Obi’s intervention to an act of betrayal. He likened it to a historical moment in the American civil rights movement, when African American activist Rosa Parks was forced to return to the back of a bus, reversing progress made in the struggle for equality.
Sowore’s words reflected his deep frustration with what he sees as a betrayal of the fight against judicial corruption. “What Obi is doing is a colossal injustice to the fight against judicial corruption in Nigeria,” Sowore declared.
The drama surrounding Farotimi’s case began several weeks ago when he was reportedly abducted from Lagos by Nigerian police officers and taken to Ekiti State, where he was detained. The charges brought against him have been widely criticized as politically motivated, with many seeing them as a means of silencing one of Nigeria’s most prominent human rights advocates.
Farotimi’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of government actions against activists and critics of the ruling regime. His detention has sparked protests and calls for justice from various civil society groups both in Nigeria and internationally.
Human rights organizations have condemned the charges against Farotimi, calling them a clear violation of his freedom of expression. Legal experts have also raised concerns about the legality of his detention and the lack of due process in his case.
Sowore has been a vocal supporter of Farotimi throughout the ordeal. He has repeatedly called for the lawyer’s release and for an end to the systemic abuse of power by the Nigerian government.
Despite the growing public outcry over Farotimi’s detention, there has been little progress in securing his release. The Nigerian judiciary’s slow response and the continued adjournment of bail hearings have only added to concerns about the state of justice in the country.
Sowore’s criticisms of Peter Obi have added another layer of controversy to the already contentious situation. While Obi is seen by many as a reform-minded politician who could bring change to Nigeria, his actions in this case have raised questions about his commitment to justice for all Nigerians.
The 10-day adjournment of Farotimi’s bail hearing means that the lawyer will spend even more time behind bars as his supporters continue to push for his release. The #FreeDeleFarotimiNow campaign has gained traction on social media, with activists demanding that Farotimi be granted bail and allowed to return home.
