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Activists in London are organizing a protest at King’s College London (KCL) to protest the arrest and trial of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, following his detention by the Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti State. Farotimi’s arrest stems from a defamation petition filed by Nigerian legal expert Afe Babalola, SAN, in response to Farotimi’s book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The protest aims to raise awareness about Farotimi’s detention and demand his release. Activists are set to gather at KCL to show solidarity and pressure the Nigerian judiciary to address the issues surrounding his case.
Olawale Bakare, a prominent human rights activist known as Mandate, has urged Londoners to join the protest on December 10. He condemned Babalola’s actions as oppressive and called for unity in the fight for justice.
“Protecting free speech and standing up for one another are essential to building a better Nigeria,” Bakare stated. “A free Nigeria begins with protecting free speech and standing up for each other. Be there! #FreeDeleFarotimi,” he added.
This protest is part of a broader movement led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and the Take It Back Movement (TIB). SaharaReporters previously reported that TIB had declared December 10 as a global day of protests against Farotimi’s remand by the police for alleged defamation of Babalola. The protests will take place in Lagos, Abuja, Ekiti, and London.
KCL is facing increasing pressure from international groups to reconsider its Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education, which is named after Babalola, and to return his donation due to allegations of abuse of power. Human rights organizations and international writers are calling for action against Babalola’s influence.
