Okonkwo demands safety guarantee for Dele Farotimi in prison

Human rights lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has expressed concern for the safety of fellow human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi.

Okonkwo, the former spokesperson for the Obi/Datti Campaign Organization, warned that Farotimi’s critical stance, as outlined in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, could provoke corrupt elites to take drastic actions against him.

Farotimi is currently being held at a Correctional Center over allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.

“Now that Dele Farotimi is sticking to his guns on the purported defamation matter, his life must be protected at all costs in prison. Nobody should come and tell us he had a cardiac arrest or something happened to him after a brief illness.

“Dele Farotimi was hale and hearty when he was unjustly arrested. He must be healthier whenever he comes out since the government that is holding him unjustly is wealthier than him.

“My guess is that these corrupt elites may settle this matter through another means if Dele Farotimi resists all their attempts at intimidating him,” Okonkwo wrote on his X handle on Saturday.

He called on authorities to allow the law to take its course. “The authorities must be aware that the whole world is watching. They have chosen the legal option, and must not resort to anything funny. Let the law be allowed to run its full course,” he added.