The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has expressed concern over the arrest of Dele Farotimi, invasion of his law firm and harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises by alleged members of the Nigeria Police Force.
DAILY POST reports that Farotimi was remanded in prison after he was arraigned on a 16 count charge over alleged defamation and cybercrimes before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
CUPP condemned the development in a statement signed by Peter Ameh, it National Secretary.
Farotimi’s arrest was activated by a petition against him for alleged defamation in his just published book: ‘Nigeria and its criminal Justice system’.
CUPP said, “Defamation, however serious it can be, does not give rise to criminal liability. The purpose of Defamation being a civil tortious liability can only be properly achieved by escalating such to a court of competent jurisdiction by filing a civil action for defamation.
“This is the only place saddled with the task of granting redress to citizens who feel they have been defamed by a statement or publication and not the Nigerian Police or any other law enforcement agency.
“The Nigerian Police is a law enforcement tasked with maintaining law and order with authority over criminal investigations and prosecution which defamation has ceased to be a part of it.
“The offence of defamation with specifics to libel which Dele Farotimi is alleged to be guilty of is not recognized as a criminal offence in the Laws of Nigeria.
“This puts Defamation out as a civil wrong and not a criminal offence.
“It is unbecoming of the Nigerian police to participate in civil disputes which have become the order of the day in our nation.
“The involvement of the Nigerian Police in matters of this nature is clearly in breach of Sections 4 and 24 of the Police Act, 2020 which mandates the Police to act only in conducts that constitute a criminal offence in the preservation of the rule of law.
“Hence, it is my submission that a civil wrong as allegedly committed by Dele Farotimi should be treated in court, whoever is agreed should “Go to court”.
“We condemn the arrest of Dele Farotimi. The continuous detention of Dele Farotimi will only amount to a desecration of the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigerian Legal system.
“I urge the Government to toe the part of honour and remedy this situation in the interest of justice.”
Alleged defamation: You shouldn’t be involved in Farotimi’s case – CUPP to Police
