Falana Calls For Caution On Part Of Police 

… Says Dele Farotimi’s Arrest, Detention Illegal 

By Joseph Sunday 

Popular Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Femi Falana, SAN, has called for caution on the part of the Nigeria Police Force, saying the arrest and detention of Barrister Dele Farotimi, another Lagos based Human Rights Lawyer and Activist are illegal. 

According to the statement made available to newsmen, Falana stated that, “without any fear of contradiction, Lagos State is among the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalised defamation in its entirety.”  

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, however called on the Nigerian police to release lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, from its illegal custody. 

Speaking in the statement, Falana said, “I have confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday for alleged criminal libel. 

“In demanding for Mr. Farotimi’s unconditionally release from illegal custody, I wish to state, without any fear of contradiction, that Lagos State is among the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalised defamation in its entirety.  

“In fact, the current state of the law was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Aviomoh v Commissioner of Police & Anor. (2021) LPELR-55203(SC) when Helen Ogunwumiju JSC held that “Defamation was decriminalised in the Criminal Law of Lagos in 2011 and Edo State Criminal Law Bill 2020.” 

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