The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), a prominent human rights group in Nigeria, has condemned the arrest, detention, and remand of lawyer Dele Farotimi, calling it unconstitutional and a direct violation of citizens’ rights. The organization, led by President Olu Omotayo, issued a statement on Wednesday demanding Farotimi’s immediate release and warning that the rights of Nigerians are being gradually eroded by the country’s courts.

“We just heard in the news that Dele Farotimi Esq. after his abduction in Lagos was arraigned in Court today in Ekiti State and remanded in prison. Farotimi was alleged to have made defamatory remarks against Afe Babalola in his recent publication.

“In the famous Arthur Nwankwos’ Case the Court of Appeal held that Sedition or Criminal Defamation was a law used by our colonial masters to subjugate the locals and there should be nothing like criminal defamation in a democratic set up, as there are enough redress available for government or aggrieved citizen under the law of libel.”

CRRAN has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to urgently intervene to prevent the courts from continuing down a dangerous path that undermines human rights and the rule of law. According to the group, the courts are increasingly acting as an extension of the Nigerian police, a situation they warn will have disastrous consequences for human rights and democracy in the country.

The group pointed out that, as Nigeria’s economy worsens, the respect for the rule of law and human rights continues to decline. CRRAN specifically noted the rise in arrests and detentions for criminal defamation under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, calling it a troubling trend that surpasses any period in previous democratic governments.

According to group, “In the case of ARTHUR NWANKWO V THE STATE (1985) 6 NCLR 228, Nwankwo who was a gubernatorial candidate in Anambra state, in 1982, was alleged to have attacked the governor, Jim Nwobodo, in the book he  published  titled ‘HOW   JIM NWOBODO  RULES  ANAMBRA STATE’. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the offences of ‘publishing seditious publication’ and ‘distributing seditious publications.

“He went on appeal. The Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him and held inter alia that although the book sharply criticizes the government, it was indeed healthy in a true democracy.”

One of the most concerning issues raised by CRRAN was the apparent disregard for past court rulings. The group reminded the public of a 40-year-old decision by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that certain charges against individuals were inconsistent with the country’s constitution. CRRAN emphasized that despite this ruling, courts today continue to allow these practices, pushing Nigeria backwards in terms of protecting basic human rights.

“We urge the Chief Justice of Nigeria to urgently save the citizens from the dangerous route the courts in Nigeria are plying.

“The hard earned constitutional guaranteed rights of citizens are gradually being filtered away by the courts and this calls for urgent attention.

“We condemn the arrest, detention and remand of Farotimi Esq. as it is unconstitutional and violates the Rule of Law.”

CRRAN’s statement serves as a call for immediate action to safeguard the rights of Nigerian citizens and ensure that the rule of law is upheld by the judiciary. The group is urging the Chief Justice to take decisive steps to correct this growing problem and protect the integrity of the Nigerian legal system.