- Charly Boy stressed that Dele Farotimi’s arrest by the police represents a misuse of power, a tool to silence critics.
- He emphasized that such act is a disturbing sign of growing authoritarianism in the country.
Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charly Boy has publicly disapproved the arrest of human rights lawyer and author Dele Farotimi by the Nigerian Police.
In a post on Instagram, Charly Boy criticized the police for their actions, labeling the arrest as an “admission of fear”.
Charly Boy emphasized that the incident represents a blatant disregard for freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
He noted that defamation cases should be resolved through the courts, rather than through police intimidation.
Charly Boy stressed that Farotimi’s arrest is a misuse of power, aimed at silencing critics and dissenting voices.
The entertainer questioned the system’s priorities, asking why criticism is feared more than injustice.
He also wondered how Nigeria can claim to uphold democracy while criminalizing dissent and using state institutions against its citizens.
He wrote:
“Today, the Nigerian Police arrested renowned human rights lawyer and author of a recent book titled; Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, Dele Farotimi for alleged defamation. Shockingly, his whereabouts remain unknown.
“Defamation cases, as established by precedent, are civil matters meant to be resolved in a court of law, not through police intimidation.The case of the Falanas and VeryDarkMan demonstrated that legal disputes over defamation should follow due process. Arresting a critic and human rights advocate reflects a misuse of power and an attempt to silence dissent.
“We must ask: What does this say about a system that fears criticism more than injustice? How can Nigeria claim to uphold democracy while criminalising dissent and weaponising state institutions against its citizens?Arresting critics is not strength; it is the ultimate admission of fear.”
