Coordinators of the proposed protest against the arrest and confinement of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi over maligning charges, the Take It Back Movement has vowed to proceed with its planned protests in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London and Canada.
Their insistence comes notwithstanding an admonition by Ekiti State Police Command forbidding unlawful gatherings, demonstrations, and the sale and use of fireworks across the state, citing concerns over public safety and security threats.
In a statement issued by the state police representative, Abutu Sunday, the order said, “Any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration, or protest is unacceptable”, adding that intelligence reports indicated plans by some individuals to exploit protests to incite violence and create panic.
However, a flier shared by the Take It Back Movement on its official social media handle on Sunday, indicated that the rally would hold regardless of police order.
The flyer for the dissent was named, ‘Nationwide/Global Protest Against The Nigerian Judiciary’ seen by our correspondent, urged Nigerians to refuse to be silenced.
The location of the protest scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Police Headquarters, Ado Ekiti.
A one-minute video likewise posted by the coordinators saw activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, saying “An unjust act of oppression cannot stand no matter how ‘well presented’ that it was done under the colour of law!
“On December 10, 2024, in Lagos, Abuja, Ado-Ekiti, Benin City, Toronto, and the City of London, individuals inebriated by power will be faced by the power of the people!”
The development comes after the Pioneer of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), last Friday, demanded that Farotimi was on a mission to tarnish his reputation which he had built following many years of hard work and diligent toil
Afe Babalola, who said he requested the police to investigate the disparaging claims made by Farotimi in the book titled, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,’ said charging the activist to court by the law enforcement agency was for the law to take its due course as regards the issue.
Following the petition, the police in Ekiti State arrested Farotimi in Lagos on Tuesday, following the petition, and arraigned him before an Ekiti State Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday over claims verging on maligning the elder statesman.
While the police supplicated the court to remand the respondent (Farotimi) to a correctional facility, Farotimi’s legal counselor pleaded for bail for his client, but the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered him remanded as he adjourned the matter till December 10, 2024.
The police have likewise recorded fresh charges against Farotimi at a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti.
The new charges fixated on cybercrime claims picked from the activist’s online interviews.
Farotimi showed up on “Mic On Podcast” hosted by popular broadcast journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, where he accused Babalola of corrupting the judiciary, the police stated.
