Entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has criticised the Nigerian Police for arresting and detaining human rights lawyer and author Dele Farotimi over alleged defamation.
On his Instagram page on Wednesday, Charly Boy described the arrest as a violation of freedom of speech and an abuse of power.
He wrote, “This Dele matter wey everybody dey talk about, be like you can no longer talk about big big boys and big people who parabulate in the corridors of power. The Lords and Masters of poor Nigerians. Thunder fire una.
“My people, this one chance we dey see ourselves inside, always has been between the haves and the have-nots. That’s what the so-called Nigerian elites do… they hide when the country needs them to speak and use police to bully the outspoken.
“Police no dey so settle defamation matter. Police too dey mumu demselves.
“What can one expect in a Zoo? Nonsense.”
Charly Boy had earlier posted on Tuesday, following Farotimi’s arrest, calling it an affront to democracy.
He emphasised that defamation cases are civil matters to be addressed in court, not through police intimidation.
“Defamation cases, as established by precedent, are civil matters meant to be resolved in a court of law, not through police intimidation,” he wrote. “Arresting critics is not strength; it is the ultimate admission of fear.”
Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Monday by officers from the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado Ekiti, where he was arraigned on a 16-count charge of defamation.
The charges stem from allegations made in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, where he claimed that senior lawyer Afe Babalola compromised the Supreme Court.
Farotimi pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody pending a formal bail application.
The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2024.
Charly Boy called for Farotimi’s immediate release, urging Nigerians to stand against what he described as increasing authoritarianism in the country.
“A nation that silences its critics is a nation on the brink of tyranny,” he warned.
