By Bayero Ade
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal and Ekiti State Governments to release human rights lawyer, Dr. Dele Farotimi, from remand or face mass protests nationwide.
In a statement released on Thursday, Frank condemned Farotimi’s detention, describing it as a politically motivated act aimed at silencing one of the government’s most vocal critics. He called on Nigerians to occupy police stations and formations across the country if Farotimi is not freed within the given timeframe.
Farotimi was remanded by an Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Wednesday over allegations of defamation. The case centers on Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he reportedly accused Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, of compromising the Supreme Court.
Frank, however, dismissed the defamation charge as a pretext for political persecution, arguing that Farotimi’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is the real reason for his arrest.
“This arrest is nothing but an attempt to intimidate and silence Farotimi for his relentless critique of the government’s anti-people policies,” Frank stated. “It is appalling that the judiciary and the police have turned themselves into instruments of oppression under this administration.”
Frank praised Farotimi as a defender of democracy and the rule of law, emphasizing that the lawyer’s remand was unwarranted for an offense that is bailable under Nigerian law.
“Farotimi is a man of truth and principle. If the authorities believed he had committed any offense, they should have invited him formally. Arresting and remanding him in such a dehumanizing manner only highlights the government’s real agenda,” he added.
The rights activist called on Nigerians to resist what he described as the government’s growing tendency to suppress dissent. “It is Farotimi today; it could be any other Nigerian tomorrow. We must unite to protect democracy and free speech,” he said.
Frank concluded by referencing German pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous quote: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Frank urged Nigerians to heed the warning and act collectively to prevent further erosion of civil liberties.
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