Farotimi: I’ll take legal action against persons who sent me to prison

Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, has announced his intention to sue those responsible for his arrest and detention over a defamation suit.

The suit was filed by Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Farotimi was arrested by the police in Lagos in December 2024 and taken to Ekiti state, where he faced charges stemming from comments made in his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

A magistrate court in Ekiti ordered his remand for 21 days. He was released on bail on Christmas eve.

Speaking on his ordeal on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’, Farotimi said he is certain that some people will account for his incarceration.

“To be frank with you, when you use the word peace, let me continue to reassert that I was always at peace,” he said.

“But when it comes to demanding an account of those who have perverted the powers of the state in pursuit of a private cause, you can be certain of one thing: some people will account for my incarceration, but that is not a matter for banter. That is something for the courts to decide.”

Although the criminal suit against him has been withdrawn, Farotimi said civil suits are pending.

“So even though the criminal suit has been withdrawn, the civil suits are there, and what I would like to do in response to my incarceration is another ball game entirely, but you can take it to the bank: I will certainly be demanding an account from those who sent me to prison,” he added.

Asked about the potential defendants, Farotimi said the decision would be left to his lawyers.

“Whether it’s the police that I have to sue, whether it’s the magistrate who sent me to prison, whether it’s the persons who wrote the petition, whether it’s whoever, but somebody would explain,” he said.