Human rights advocate and author Dele Farotimi has raised alarm over alleged attempts by law enforcement officers to intimidate and abduct him under the guise of a criminal investigation.
Speaking at a press conference on December 2, 2024, Farotimi detailed what he described as “unlawful tactics” by the Ekiti State Police Command and alleged involvement of legal luminaries and influential figures.
Farotimi recounted receiving a formal invitation from Zone 2 Police Command on November 11, 2024, summoning him to appear on November 13. “I arrived at the station at 9:45 AM, accompanied by my legal counsel. I was presented with a petition from a lawyer representing Mr. Tony Elumelu, accusing me of defamation,” he stated.
“Despite the baseless nature of the petition, I addressed its contents, met with the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General, and was released on bail on self-recognisance.”
Farotimi alleged that the situation escalated when individuals associated with the police resorted to unconventional methods to target his associates. “On November 16, Pastor Sam Aiyedogbon informed me that two pastors from his church were abducted by the police, coerced to write statements, and pressured to lure me to the church under false pretenses,” he explained.
He also accused police officers of attempting to abduct him through fabricated scenarios, citing an incident involving his domestic staff. “My staff received a suspicious call asking him to collect a package. When their attempts failed, they arrested a security guard, questioning him about my home address and my wife’s contact details,” Farotimi said.
Farotimi linked these alleged actions to a book he authored, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which he claims has drawn ire from powerful individuals, including Chief Afe Babalola. “Chief Afe Babalola, through his influence in Ekiti State, has weaponized the police against me. This is not about justice—it is a witch hunt,” he declared.
He questioned the jurisdiction of the Ekiti State Police Command in the matter, emphasizing that the alleged events occurred in Lagos. “I live in Lagos, I work in Lagos, and my book was published in Lagos. Yet, I am being hounded to Ekiti State, where Chief Babalola wields significant influence. This is an abuse of power and a clear display of impunity.”
Farotimi called on Nigerians to speak out against what he termed “unbridled police impunity.”
He lamented the lack of action on a 2021 murder plot he previously disclosed to the police, stating, “Truth dies in darkness. Darkness is when you see the truth and do not speak or are intimidated into silence.”
Despite the pressure, Farotimi remains defiant. “I knew when I took this path there would be clashes with the state. I am not afraid. If I have committed any crime, come and arrest me in Lagos. But this campaign of intimidation must stop,” he concluded.
