Farotimi: Nigeria slowly marching into tyranny, lawyer warns
Following the arrest and subsequent remand in prison of a lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, his colleague, Emmanuel Ihim, has noted that the country is slowly marching into tyranny under the watch of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Ihim, who issued this warning on Friday in Abuja, regretted that the seduction of unchecked power is an ancient story, a tragic dance that transforms guardians of liberty into despots.
According to him, history is replete with examples of leaders consumed by their pursuit of control, blinded to the bounds of morality and justice, lamenting that Farotimi’s case highlights a growing tendency to use state apparatus for silencing dissent, which he termed a hallmark of tyranny.
“Farotimi, a fearless voice against corruption and injustice, was arrested on allegations of defamation, a charge that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and legal scholars have confirmed is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State.
“The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning the state with global best practices that treat it as a civil matter.
“This progressive reform was affirmed by Nigeria’s Supreme Court in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor (2021), yet Farotimi’s arrest underscores a dangerous trend of disregarding the rule of law for political convenience.
“The arrest is symptomatic of a broader malaise, a governance structure in Nigeria riddled with corruption, self-interest, and a predatory state apparatus.
“Institutions designed to protect citizens increasingly function as instruments of oppression. Sovereignty, when divorced from justice, becomes a tool of exploitation, perpetuating inequality and eroding public trust.
“The reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm by security forces, accompanied by the confiscation of phones and harassment of staff, is a chilling affront to the sanctity of the legal profession and constitutional rights.
“This act not only violates privacy and dignity but also strikes at the heart of democratic principles. Lawyers are defenders of justice; undermining their independence is a direct assault on the foundations of the rule of law.
“Arresting Farotimi for a non-criminal matter such as defamation starkly contravenes these legal standards. It reflects an alarming disregard for legality, fairness, and respect for human rights, principles that are foundational to democracy.
“Prominent figures have condemned this action. The former Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Mr. Peter Obi, characterized the arrest as ‘gross misuse of power’ and ‘a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice.’
“The NBA’s president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the arrest as a ‘troubling breach of the rule of law,’ while human rights lawyer Femi Falana labeled it ‘blatant and illegal.’ Both emphasized the need for accountability, demanding Farotimi’s immediate release and a thorough investigation into the invasion of his law firm.”
Regretting that Nigeria’s democratic framework is increasingly strained under the weight of unchecked power, he noted that the gradual erosion of democratic norms must alarm not only Nigerians but also the international community, which has long championed Nigeria as a beacon of hope for African democracy.
He stated that unchecked power is a disease that metastasizes in silence, emboldened by apathy and fear.
“Today it targets a lawyer like Farotimi; tomorrow, it could consume the very structures of freedom upon which the nation depends. The voices of dissent must not be stifled, for they are the lifeblood of a just society,” he added.
Farotimi: Nigeria slowly marching into tyranny, lawyer warns
Following the arrest and subsequent remand in prison of a lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, his colleague, Emmanuel Ihim, has noted that the country is slowly marching into tyranny under the watch of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
Ihim, who issued this warning on Friday in Abuja, regretted that the seduction of unchecked power is an ancient story, a tragic dance that transforms guardians of liberty into despots.
According to him, history is replete with examples of leaders consumed by their pursuit of control, blinded to the bounds of morality and justice, lamenting that Farotimi’s case highlights a growing tendency to use state apparatus for silencing dissent, which he termed a hallmark of tyranny.
“Farotimi, a fearless voice against corruption and injustice, was arrested on allegations of defamation, a charge that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and legal scholars have confirmed is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos State.
“The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 repealed the criminalization of defamation, aligning the state with global best practices that treat it as a civil matter.
“This progressive reform was affirmed by Nigeria’s Supreme Court in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police & Anor (2021), yet Farotimi’s arrest underscores a dangerous trend of disregarding the rule of law for political convenience.
“The arrest is symptomatic of a broader malaise, a governance structure in Nigeria riddled with corruption, self-interest, and a predatory state apparatus.
“Institutions designed to protect citizens increasingly function as instruments of oppression. Sovereignty, when divorced from justice, becomes a tool of exploitation, perpetuating inequality and eroding public trust.
“The reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm by security forces, accompanied by the confiscation of phones and harassment of staff, is a chilling affront to the sanctity of the legal profession and constitutional rights.
“This act not only violates privacy and dignity but also strikes at the heart of democratic principles. Lawyers are defenders of justice; undermining their independence is a direct assault on the foundations of the rule of law.
“Arresting Farotimi for a non-criminal matter such as defamation starkly contravenes these legal standards. It reflects an alarming disregard for legality, fairness, and respect for human rights, principles that are foundational to democracy.
“Prominent figures have condemned this action. The former Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Mr. Peter Obi, characterized the arrest as ‘gross misuse of power’ and ‘a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice.’
“The NBA’s president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the arrest as a ‘troubling breach of the rule of law,’ while human rights lawyer Femi Falana labeled it ‘blatant and illegal.’ Both emphasized the need for accountability, demanding Farotimi’s immediate release and a thorough investigation into the invasion of his law firm.”
Regretting that Nigeria’s democratic framework is increasingly strained under the weight of unchecked power, he noted that the gradual erosion of democratic norms must alarm not only Nigerians but also the international community, which has long championed Nigeria as a beacon of hope for African democracy.
He stated that unchecked power is a disease that metastasizes in silence, emboldened by apathy and fear.
“Today it targets a lawyer like Farotimi; tomorrow, it could consume the very structures of freedom upon which the nation depends. The voices of dissent must not be stifled, for they are the lifeblood of a just society,” he added.
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