Flaunt Weeekly
Former President of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, has demanded the immediate release of human rights lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi.
The eccentric entertainer who called for the immediate release of Farotimi, whose whereabouts remain unknown, also called for the launch of an investigation into blatant abuse of power by politicians.
He stated in a post shared on his official Instagram page that the arrest was not just an attack on Dele Farotimi but a blatant assault on freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
According to him, defamation cases, as established by precedent, are civil matters that are meant to be resolved in a court of law and not through police intimidation.
Charly Boy wrote, ‘‘Today, the Nigerian Police arrested renowned human rights lawyer and author of a recent book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, Dele Farotimi, for alleged defamation. Shockingly, his whereabouts remain unknown.
’’This is not just an attack on Dele Farotimi but a blatant assault on freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
’’Defamation cases, as established by precedent, are civil matters meant to be resolved in a court of law, not through police intimidation.
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’’The case of the Falanas and VeryDarkMan demonstrated that legal disputes over defamation should follow due process. Arresting a critic and human rights advocate reflects a misuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent.
’’Dele Farotimi’s arrest is emblematic of the oppression faced by many Nigerians who dare to speak out against systemic injustice and corruption. This action is a grim reminder of the growing authoritarian tendencies within the country, where critics of the elite are met with force instead of dialogue.
’’We must ask: What does this say about a system that fears criticism more than injustice? How can Nigeria claim to uphold democracy while criminalizing dissent and weaponizing state institutions against its citizens?
’’Arresting critics is not strength; it is the ultimate admission of fear.”
’’We demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi and a transparent investigation into this abuse of power. Defamation should never serve as an excuse for arbitrary detention, and no Nigerian should live in fear of speaking truth to power.
’’Let us stand together against oppression and injustice. A nation that silences its critics is a nation on the brink of tyranny.’’ He concluded.
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