The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has condemned the arrest of civil rights activist Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian Police and is demanding his immediate release.

Farotimi, a prominent legal practitioner and member of Afenifere, was detained on December 3, 2024, at his law office in Lekki, Lagos.

His arrest is linked to his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which allegedly defamed a certain individual.

Afenifere’s statement, signed by HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan and Prince Justice Faloye, condemned the manner in which Farotimi was taken into custody.

The group described the police action as “illegal, crude, uncivilised, and unacceptable,” highlighting that defamation is not a criminal offense warranting such aggressive treatment.

“Afenifere demands the immediate release of Dele Farotimi or that he be promptly taken to court, as he is presumed innocent of any charges. The burden of proof lies with the accusers, no matter their status,” the statement reads.

Afenifere also urged human rights organizations to speak out against what it termed an unlawful act of forceful arrest, warning that there were reports suggesting the police might seek to detain him for an extended period.

The group called on Nigerians and defenders of democracy to oppose such actions, likening them to the tactics of criminal gangs that disregard citizens’ rights.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also expressed grave concern over Farotimi’s arrest and the reported invasion of his law firm.

In a statement, NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, stated that while the police have the authority to investigate crimes, such actions must be in accordance with the law.

He pointed out that defamation is no longer a criminal offense under Lagos State law, following the repeal of such provisions in the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.

The NBA referred to a 2021 Supreme Court ruling in the Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police case, which clarified that defamation is a civil matter in Lagos, not a criminal one.

Osigwe emphasized that Farotimi’s arrest for a non-criminal matter was unlawful and violated the principles of legality and the rule of law.

The NBA also condemned the police’s invasion of Farotimi’s law office, where lawyers and staff were reportedly harassed and had their phones seized, marking a severe breach of the sanctity of legal practice and constitutional rights.

The NBA called for an investigation into the invasion of Farotimi’s office and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.

The statement concluded by urging law enforcement agencies to uphold the principles of legality, fairness, and respect for human rights in their operations, stressing that these values are essential for a functioning democracy and justice system.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Wednesday, Ekene Uzodinma, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu State, addressed the recent Supreme Court judgment which affirmed Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa as the legitimate national chairman of the party.

Uzodinma expressed respect for the court’s decision, which nullified the leadership of Chief Edozie Njoku, affirming the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

He acknowledged Chief Njoku’s significant contributions to APGA, stating that his vision and dedication had been pivotal in shaping the party’s direction.

Despite the court’s ruling, Uzodinma emphasized that the party’s values and ideals would remain intact as they moved forward.

“We will work together to ensure a seamless transition and maintain our party’s momentum,” Uzodinma stated.

He also pledged his support to the new leadership of APGA in Enugu State, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to continue its work in the state.

He urged party members and supporters to be peaceful, put aside all differences and focus on building a stronger, more resilient APGA.

Uzodinma stressed the importance of collaboration to maintain the party’s strength and influence.

“We must remain focused on our shared mission, with unwavering dedication to our cause. We will continue to uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and equality.”

Uzodinma further reaffirmed APGA’s commitment to serving the people and ensuring the party remains a symbol of hope for its supporters.

The Labour Party (LP) has rolled out an extensive grassroots mobilization plan aimed at restructuring its state directorates, resolving organizational issues from the 2023 general election, and reinforcing its operations ahead of the 2027 elections.

As part of the initiative, the party is set to inaugurate state coordinators at its secretariats nationwide on Friday, marking a significant step in its political strategy.

Marcel Ngogbehei, Director General of the LP Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, and Sheikh Rufai Al-Saddiq, Deputy Director of Strategic Engagements for the directorate, issued a statement detailing the party’s plans to introduce new leadership and foster collaboration with a variety of grassroots organizations.

The statement underlined the importance of aligning state directorates with the party’s state chairmen and enhancing connections between the party’s structures and its support networks.

“We are rolling out a tactical plan for the 2027 elections, a three-to-six-month roadmap that is straightforward and easy to implement,” Ngogbehei said.

“We will restructure the Directorate and bring in new people to fill the gaps we’ve identified.”

The state directorates will collaborate closely with Labour Party state chairmen and the National Working Committee to ensure effective local engagement.

These directorates will serve as key interfaces in their respective states, focusing on recruiting and integrating various interest groups, including associations like the tailoring, mechanic, and motoring associations.

For the state directorates, a team will be established, including a state coordinator, an assistant state coordinator, a state secretary, and a representative from each senatorial zone.

This team will form the Labour Party’s State Directorate of Mobilization and Integration Management Team.

The restructuring plan is aimed at addressing the issues encountered during the 2023 election, where there was a lack of effective coordination between the party and its support structures.

The LP seeks to build a network of trusted individuals with integrity to ensure transparency and accountability within the party.

Ngogbehei emphasized the importance of starting early, training party members, and monitoring their progress to develop the necessary skills for supporting the party across all states.

“At the national level, we will provide the strategy and set clear objectives. We expect our state teams to work with the state Labour Party chairmen to achieve these goals,” he explained.

During future campaigns, the party aims to rely on trusted individuals with whom they have already worked, ensuring grassroots engagement and the integration of diverse groups.

“We want to create a strong, loyal network of individuals who can either remain in the party structure, support the party, or potentially run as candidates in the future. The key is loyalty and integrity to the party,” Ngogbehei added.

Northern senators have called for the suspension of further legislative actions on the contentious Tax Reform Bills, which recently passed their second reading in the Senate.

This demand came after a meeting held on Monday, with lawmakers voicing concerns about the potential negative impact of the bills on northern states.

The House of Representatives had already suspended debate on the bills over the weekend, citing public outcry and strong resistance from northern lawmakers.

The proposed tax laws, which were submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the legislature, have sparked intense debates across the country.

Critics, including northern governors, traditional leaders, and lawmakers, have urged the president to withdraw the bills for further consultations.

However, the president has insisted that the bills should continue their legislative process.

Senator Buba Umaru Shehu (APC, Bauchi State) revealed that northern senators, both from the ruling APC and opposition parties, agreed that the bills should undergo thorough review before any further action.

Shehu criticized the hasty manner in which the bills were presented and stressed the need for careful consideration by tax policy experts.

The senators also raised concerns about the proposed “derivation” formula in the value-added tax (VAT) distribution system, which they believe would unfairly disadvantage northern states.

Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno State) confirmed the outcome of the northern senators’ meeting, which included discussions with governors and other leaders.

Ndume said they would advise for the withdrawal of the bills to allow for broader consultations, in line with recommendations from traditional rulers and the National Economic Council (NEC).

He also indicated that state assemblies in the region would soon express their objections.

Ndume further argued that some provisions in the bills clashed with Nigeria’s constitution and might not stand if passed in their current form.

“We need to approach this with caution. It’s essential that we get the buy-in of all stakeholders. This is not about politics; it’s about the future of our country.”

Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, where deliberations on the bills had been suspended, Muhammad Bello Shehu Fagge emphasized that public outcry and the reactions of religious leaders played a significant role in the suspension.

The bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further review.

The committee, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger), is expected to conduct a public hearing to gather input from experts and the public.

In the House of Representatives, tensions flared when spokesperson Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti) expressed support for the bills during a report presentation.

His remarks were met with immediate backlash from fellow lawmakers, with many shouting “No!” in protest.

The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, intervened, urging Rotimi to withdraw the statement, which was eventually retracted to restore order.

The House then dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to continue proceedings.

The session was handed over to Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu to resume the debate.