Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed outrage after human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was seen in handcuffs during his appearance at the Ekiti State High Court.
Farotimi’s handcuffing followed his arrest in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola, who accused Farotimi of defaming him in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The controversial display occurred when Farotimi was escorted to court by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, visibly restrained in handcuffs.
Reacting strongly to the incident, Ezekwesili voiced her anger on social media, questioning the rationale behind such treatment for a civil matter. In a post via X (formerly Twitter), Ezekwesili argued that the handling of the case was a glaring example of the erosion of trust in Nigeria’s judiciary. She emphasized that such actions demonstrated how the judiciary had become increasingly viewed as compromised by the political class. Ezekwesili wrote, “So the gross absurdity of handcuffing @DeleFarotimi was lost on the Prisons Service? What crime is the @NigeriaGov @PoliceNG really prosecuting @DeleFarotimi for at this stage?”
She further condemned the situation, asserting that a civil dispute between Farotimi and Babalola should not be treated in such a criminalized manner, particularly with the harsh visual of handcuffs. “How did a civil matter between Dele Farotimi and Chief Babalola morph into the strongest evidence of why citizens now sadly lack trust in and believe that our judiciary is fully captured by Nigeria’s irresponsible political class?” Ezekwesili continued, stressing her concerns over the growing distrust in public institutions.
Ezekwesili’s post went on to target the current administration’s handling of public institutions, criticizing what she saw as a reckless desecration of these institutions under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. She called out the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo, urging him to clarify the basis for the handcuffing of Farotimi and to take corrective actions. “The Minister of Interior—Olubunmi Tunde-Ojo @BTOofficial who is in charge of @CorrectionsNg – The Prisons – has to explain the basis of those handcuffs on Mr. Farotimi and immediately take steps to correct the repeat of such anomaly by overzealous officers,” Ezekwesili wrote, calling for accountability.
Ezekwesili also expressed her dismay over what she saw as the violation of Farotimi’s constitutional rights. She urged those behind the actions to reconsider their approach, asserting that the matter should be resolved through proper judicial processes. “Those pushing this gross violation of Citizen-Farotimi’s constitutional rights should advise themselves now and cease pushing forward the shenanigans playing out on this matter. Enough is Enough! Stop assaulting the sensibilities of Nigerians any further,” she declared.
The issue has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the appropriateness of such treatment in what is ultimately a civil legal matter. Ezekwesili concluded by calling for both parties in the defamation case to resolve their dispute through due judicial process, insisting that the public’s trust in the system cannot be undermined any further.
Farotimi’s case, and the treatment he received, has ignited a broader debate about the state of the Nigerian justice system, especially in the context of civil disputes and the use of force by law enforcement. As the legal proceedings unfold, observers are closely watching how the case will impact public perceptions of justice and fairness in the country.
