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Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener Omoyele Sowore has expressed disapproval of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, over his involvement in the case of Dele Farotimi. The human rights lawyer was detained by the Nigerian police on charges related to cybercrime.
Sowore accused Obi of “begging” legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, who allegedly orchestrated Farotimi’s detention, a move Sowore described as a “colossal injustice” to the fight against judicial corruption. The activist aired his criticism on Monday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that Obi’s actions undermined efforts to reform Nigeria’s judicial system.
I condemn those who went to “beg” Chief Afe Babalola today over the unjust detention and persecution of @DeleFarotimi; the delegation led by @PeterObi did colossal injustice to the struggle to drain the swamp of judicial criminality in our country; Obi’s action is like forcing… pic.twitter.com/uF5TdBWuOO
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) December 9, 2024
In his statement, Sowore likened Obi’s intervention to a betrayal of justice, drawing a historical parallel to forcing Rosa Parks back to the segregated section of a bus during the U.S. civil rights era. “I condemn those who went to ‘beg’ Chief Afe Babalola today over the unjust detention and persecution of @DeleFarotimi. The delegation led by @PeterObi did colossal injustice to the struggle to drain the swamp of judicial criminality in our country,” he wrote.
Earlier reports revealed that Farotimi was transferred from Lagos to Ekiti State and charged under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015. His appearance in court, handcuffed, sparked widespread backlash. Many Nigerians criticized the selective application of justice, noting that high-profile figures accused of corruption often avoid such public humiliation.
Activists have drawn comparisons between Farotimi’s treatment and that of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, accused of mismanaging over ₦100 billion. Critics argued that Bello, despite the severity of the allegations, appeared in court without restraints, unlike Farotimi.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong questioned the disparity, asking, “Why is Dele Farotimi in handcuffs while Yahaya Bello walks freely?”
The public outrage highlights broader concerns about the perceived use of Nigeria’s justice system to suppress dissenting voices while protecting powerful figures. Ettu Mohammad, reflecting on the situation, remarked, “A man who allegedly cornered over ₦100 billion is walking freely, while another accused of defamation is in handcuffs.”
The incident has reignited calls for accountability and fairness in the judicial process.
