Anger as Dele Farotimi Appears in Court in Handcuffs

Widespread outrage erupted on Monday as human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, appeared at the Ekiti State High Court in handcuffs. Escorted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Farotimi’s treatment drew sharp criticism from Nigerians who described it as an affront to justice and the legal profession.

Farotimi’s arrest stemmed from a defamation lawsuit filed by renowned legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. The 95-year-old lawyer had accused Farotimi of defaming him in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. Following his arrest last week in Lagos State by the Ekiti State Police Command, Farotimi was transported to Ekiti for arraignment.

During Monday’s proceedings, the court granted Farotimi bail under stringent conditions. He was required to post a bond of ₦50 million, with a surety of the same amount. However, public attention remained fixed on his handcuffed appearance, sparking condemnation across social media platforms.

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju took to X, formerly Twitter, to denounce the treatment, calling it an embarrassment to the legal profession. “A lawyer in handcuffs over defamation, not armed robbery, kidnapping, or any crime. No wonder they abducted Dele Farotimi and took him to where Baba Afe Babalola is king, Ekiti,” he wrote.

Another lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, questioned the necessity of the handcuffs. “Can @CorrectionsNg explain why they had to handcuff @DeleFarotimi while taking him to the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti this morning for arraignment? This is preposterous. He did not pose any threat and did not resist being taken to court,” Effiong stated. He added that Farotimi’s ordeal marked him as a political prisoner.

Similarly, activist Rinu Oduala criticized the government’s actions, asking, “Dele Farotimi is put in handcuffs for an offence that doesn’t even exist in the laws. Is he a criminal or a political prisoner? The Nigeria Government should let us know.”

The controversy also drew the attention of ordinary Nigerians, with one social media user, Darey, highlighting the incongruity of treating defamation—a civil matter—as though it were a criminal offence. “Afe Babalola put Dele Farotimi in handcuffs for defamation. Nigeria and its CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,” he wrote.