Human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has sparked outrage after he was escorted to the Ekiti State High Court in handcuffs. Farotimi appeared in court on Monday after his arrest in Lagos by the Ekiti State Police Command.

His arrest followed a defamation lawsuit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a 95-year-old Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The lawsuit stems from accusations that Farotimi defamed Babalola in his book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

During his appearance in court, Farotimi was granted bail under strict conditions, including a N50 million bond and a surety of the same amount. Despite this, the image of him being brought to court in handcuffs has sparked strong reactions from many Nigerians.

Activists and lawyers have voiced their displeasure over the incident, with many questioning why Farotimi, who did not resist arrest, was treated in such a manner.

Deji Adeyanju, an activist lawyer, posted on social media, criticizing the move:

“Shame on everyone involved in this embarrassment to the legal profession. A lawyer in handcuffs over defamation, not armed robbery or kidnapping.”

Another human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, also expressed outrage, saying:

“Can @CorrectionsNg explain why they had to handcuff @DeleFarotimi while taking him to court this morning? This is preposterous.”

Rinu Oduala, an activist, asked,

“Dele Farotimi is put in handcuffs for an offence that doesn’t even exist in the laws. Is he a criminal or a political prisoner?”

Many are calling this a case of injustice, with some referring to Farotimi as a political prisoner. The incident has drawn attention to the state of Nigeria’s legal system and sparked debates about fairness and human rights.

As the case continues, Nigerians are demanding accountability and reform to prevent such actions from occurring again.