Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised former Labour Party candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, for allegedly reaching out to legal expert Chief Afe Babalola to intervene on behalf of Lagos-based lawyer and public affairs commentator, Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi is currently on trial at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ekiti State, following his arrest at his Chambers in Lagos last week, for allegedly defaming Chief Babalola in his book ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.
The police invasion of Farotimi’s Chambers by officers from the Ekiti State Command and the alleged harassment of his staff during the arrest have sparked widespread condemnation.
Farotimi was remanded in custody after being arraigned last week, but was granted bail on Monday for N50m.
It is also notable that Farotimi was a prominent supporter of Peter Obi during the 2023 election campaign.
On Monday night, Sowore took to Facebook, sharing a blurred photograph, and accused Obi and others of visiting Chief Babalola to seek leniency for Farotimi. He described the delegation’s actions as committing an “unspeakable and despicable injustice” in the fight against judicial corruption in Nigeria.
Sowore wrote: “I strongly condemn those who went to “beg” Chief Afe Babalola today regarding the unjust detention and persecution of Dele Farotimi. The delegation led by Mr. Peter Obi has committed an unspeakable and despicable injustice in the fight against judicial corruption in our country.”
He further compared Obi’s actions to forcing Rosa Parks to return to the back of the bus during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, stating, “The struggle continues!”
