Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has strongly criticized the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, labeling it as a glaring example of the incompetence and corruption within Nigeria’s security and law enforcement agencies.
Farotimi was apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday over allegations of defamation. Reacting to the incident in a post shared on his X account on Friday, Okonkwo highlighted the Supreme Court’s stance on arrests, emphasizing that an arrest should follow a thorough investigation, not precede it.
Okonkwo argued that the police’s approach was fundamentally flawed, asserting that those allegedly defamed by Farotimi should have sought legal redress through the courts instead of involving the police in what he described as an “arrest-first” approach.
Criticism of Police Procedure
In his post, Okonkwo quoted the Commissioner of Police, who allegedly stated, “We are investigating him. If the suspect is arrested, we will bring him for investigation.” The actor-politician faulted this approach, stating, “The Supreme Court has made it clear that you do not arrest a person and start running around for investigation. The mere act of arrest should indicate that investigation has been concluded.”
He further explained that in cases of defamation, the proper procedure would have been for those who felt aggrieved by Farotimi’s statements to approach the court, allowing both parties to present their cases in a fair hearing. He noted that the courts are best positioned to determine the veracity of claims and issue appropriate orders for compensation if necessary.
Call for Farotimi’s Release
Okonkwo demanded Farotimi’s immediate and unconditional release, insisting that the police complete their investigations before making any arrests. He also emphasized the need for the investigation to include the allegations Farotimi made in his book, with the findings made public.
He expressed frustration over what he described as the misuse of judicial processes to undermine Farotimi’s dignity as a lawyer and activist. “Arresting Dele and using the imprimatur of the courts to aid the disrespect for the dignity of his person as a lawyer and Minister in the temple of justice is deplorable and unacceptable,” he stated.
Broader Critique of Nigeria’s Leadership
Okonkwo did not stop at the immediate issue but extended his criticism to the broader state of governance in Nigeria. He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of consistently disregarding the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, using state instruments to harass and intimidate political opponents.
He lamented the systemic corruption in Nigeria, claiming that it enables those in power to collude with external actors to defraud the nation while persecuting whistleblowers like Farotimi. He added, “It’s a shame that in Nigeria, people who should be in prison are in the presidency, while people who should be in the presidency are in prison.”
A Call for Whistleblower Protection
The actor also called for greater recognition and protection for individuals like Farotimi, who expose systemic corruption and challenge the status quo. He urged the government to honor such individuals rather than subject them to imprisonment, stating, “People like Dele and other courageous whistleblowers should be commended with national honors and not committed to prison.”
