A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has demanded the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, a detained human rights advocate.

Obi in a statement described his arrest by the Ekiti State Police Command as a "gross misuse of police powers" and "a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria". He said that he has been defamed, insulted and lied against yet has never used authorities to silence others.

A police spokesperson in Ekiti, Sunday Abutu, confirmed Farotimi's arrest. He noted that the lawyer was arrested over a petition about alleged defamation and cyberbullying.

Abutu said the command obtained a warrant of arrest against Farotimi regarding the case, adding that the activist is currently being transported from Lagos to Ekiti State.

But the police spokesperson declined to name the complainant, who wrote the petition against Farotimi.

Abutu said: “He was arrested some hours ago based on a petition that was written to the commissioner of police (in Ekiti). “The allegation is about defamation of character and cyberbullying. “The command did not act out of place. We even got a court order; that is a warrant of arrest.”

Read Peter Obi's statement below

“I just learned of the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a respected human rights lawyer and advocate, over an allegation of defamation. “This action is a gross misuse of police powers and a grave assault on the principles of democracy and justice in Nigeria. “I condemn this action in totality. It represents not only an attempt to intimidate opposing voices from questioning authority.

“It is also a worrying signal to every Nigerian who loves and values freedom of expression and dares to demand accountability and transparency.

“As a private citizen, former governor, and even today, I am frequently defamed, insulted, and lied about and against.

“Yet, I have never resorted to using the Nigerian police or filing reports to silence others.

“I hereby request that Dele Farotimi should be released immediately and unconditionally. The police must recognize that their allegiance is to the Constitution and the people of Nigeria, not to narrow interests at the behest of those in power. A new more Just and fair Nigeria is possible.”