Obidient Movement Threatens Nationwide Protests Over Farotimi’s Arrest

The Obidient Movement has threatened to embark on nationwide protest if a human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, is not released with immediate effect.

Naija News reported that a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti ordered that Farotimi be remanded following allegations of defaming a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.

The activist is accused of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola through statements made in his recently released book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

In a statement on Wednesday, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko called for the immediate and unconditional release of the lawyer.

Tanko added that Farotimi’s arrest and detention raise serious questions about the misuse of power and the suppression of freedom of speech in Nigeria.

The statement read, “This government inflicted pain on the Nigerian people by increasing the cost of fuel prices with impunity from #165 to # 1,100k and above depending on ones location, thereby increasing the cost of food items and other essential commodities directly linked to purchase of Premium motor spirit with absolutely nothing to show for it.

“Now people can no longer afford a square meal in a day not to talk of 3 square meals in their houses, Civil Servants are impoverished, the Nigeria people are living in total hunger with poverty increasing beyond measures.

“The Nigerian people are making frantic efforts to survive with no certainty of what tomorrow brings.

“In addition, they floated the Naira, increased the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar from the rate of one dollar to one thousand eight hundred naira as the case may be which has trickle down effect in all purchases and consumption without being creative in trying to revamp, revive our industries, support Agriculture and boost the Economy.

“Businesses are collapsing due to cost of running them, start up funds for SMEs are high with interest rate raised to 27.5%….where does this Administration wants the common man to face? Insecurity has skyrocketted due to hunger, malnutrition, our health sector is in total shambles to mention but a few.

“Similarly, the unprecedented increase in electricity tariff without the service to render had affected tremendously the economy and the living standard of the Nigerians.

“The purported tax reform which has a sinister motive will further impoverish the people without commensurate productive reform that can help the nations economy to thrive.

“There is hunger in the land, the so-called minimum wage for the Nigeria people cannot afford a bag of rice, spaghetti, vegetable oil etc sadly but the bitter truth is that when salaries are paid, the money gets finished or spent in advance, infact most Civil/Public servants affirmed to me that their salaries last for just 48 hours while others claimed it extends to one weeks (7 Days) and they proceed to borrow from online loan lenders (loan shark), unfortunately, people can no longer take care of their basic needs, security, transportation to work, food, education and health are at the lowest ebb, infact, most families with one or two children have decided to put a stop to procreation (child birth) due to the unwanthom hardship .

“As a vocal advocate for human rights, Dele Farotimi has consistently spoken out against injustice and championed the rights of marginalized communities. His arrest appears to be a blatant attempt to silence him and intimidate others who dare to challenge the status quo.

“On this note, we unequivocally condemn this nefarious act of abuse of power and demand that the Nigerian Police respect Dele Farotimi’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in section 40 of chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended .

“We urge the Nigerian authorities to ensure his immediate and unconditional release, guaranteeing that his rights are protected throughout the process.

“Failure to release him immediately , we shall invoke our fundamental rights as citizens to engage in a series of public protests across the country to challenge this gross abuse of power and neglect of the people.

“Furthermore, we call on the International Community to take note of this disturbing development and to stand in solidarity with Dele Farotimi and all those who are fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria.

“Finally, we are aware of the one by one arrest which is targeted towards the arrest of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi for speaking truth to power, we want to assure you that we will resist any form of cruelty and flagrant abuse of power against Mr Peter Obi.”

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