- Safiu Kehinde
The viral post of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, handcuffed while being ushered by officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, for his arraignment today, has stirred controversies over the treatment of the embattled lawyer by the judiciary.
Challenging the NCS in a post on his official X handle, fellow human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, demanded explanation from the Service for handcuffing Farotimi despite not posing any threat.
Inibehe slammed the correctional centre over the treatment of Farotimi which he described as unreasonable.
What crime is the Nigerian government and Nigerian Police Force really prosecuting Dele Farotimi for at this stage because how did a civil matter between Dele Farotimi and Chief Babalola morph into the strongest evidence of why Citizens now sadly lack trust in and believe that our Judiciary is fully captured by Nigeria’s irresponsible political class?
“This reckless desecration of all public institutions under this administration of President Bola Tinubu will not sustain. Never.
“The Minister of Interior- Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo who is in charge of the Nigerian Customs Service– The Prisons – has to explain the basis of those handcuffs on Mr Farotimi and immediately take steps to correct repeat of such anomaly by overzealous officers.
“Those pushing this gross violation of Citizen-Farotimi’s constitutional rights should advise themselves now and cease pushing forward the shenanigans playing out on this matter. Enough is Enough!
“Stop assaulting the sensibilities of Nigerians any further.
“Let the 2 citizens involved in this matter engage the courts using appropriate judicial processes for addressing allegations of Defamation.
“Wisdom is profitable to direct. Therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding as the book of Proverbs advises the young and the old alike.” Ezekwesili wrote.
“They’re only making a bad situation worse—the same corrupt prison service that treated Bob like a sitting president.” Samuel wrote.
Other X users also slammed the NCS and the judiciary for the unfair treatment of Farotimi.