Olayiwola Matthew
A former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe has called for the immediate release of Mr. Dele Farotimi by the police.
The lawyer was said to have been arrested over a case of defamation among others.
In a statement issued by Ogundipe who described Farotimi as former counsel of the NUJ and African Union of Journalists, the arrest by the police was wrong.
His statement reads in part:
“It is unjust and it’s against the principle of natural justice for the Nigerian Police to invade and arrest human right activist – Dele Farotimi on a mere defamatory allegation that has not been proved.
“Defamation is no longer a classified criminal law, the issue can be resolved without necessarily intimidating the other party with unnecessary show of power with invading his office to effect arrest.
“The police action on Dele Farotimi’s is oppressive and a misuse of power and it constitutes a breach on the lawyer’s fundamental rights.”
Ogundipe added: “The Police legal department failed in its duty to do a thorough job to advise its operational agents on the position of law in the state to stave-off Dele’s arrest.
“With this breach I hereby demand for an unconditional release of Mr. Farotimi without further delay from the police custody.”