A video has surfaced showing the moment human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi was arrested at his office.

Farotimi was taken into custody on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, by the Nigerian police on defamation charges following a petition filed by UBA Chief Executive Officer Tony Elumelu.

In the video, Farotimi can be seen being escorted out of his office by police operatives.

His arrest has sparked widespread condemnation for the use of police for arrests instead of seeking legal redress.

Several Nigerians, including Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore, Oseni Rufai, Aisha Yesufu, and other prominent figures, have expressed their disapproval of Farotimi’s arrest.

They have called on the police to release Farotimi and avoid being used as a tool by the powerful to settle personal disputes.

In response to the backlash, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, informed PUNCH Online that Farotimi was arrested for alleged offenses such as defamation of character, cyberstalking, and other charges.

“That was why we have been looking for him before we were able to arrest him.

“We are investigating him. If the suspect is arrested, we will bring him for investigation. We will conduct our investigation and will be able to know his level of culpability or otherwise.”

Watch the video below.