EDITORIAL: Farotimi’s Handcuffs: A Blatant Abuse of Power, AGF End This Charade Now

By Tony Okafor

The recent images of human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, in handcuffs at the Ekiti State High Court are a clear abuse of power and a misuse of handcuffs.

This disturbing trend has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from Nigerians, and rightly so.

Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent court appearance in handcuffs have raised fundamental questions about the motives behind his arrest and handcuffing.

He was arrested in Lagos State by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command over a defamation lawsuit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The fact that Farotimi was granted bail under strict conditions, with a surety of N50 million, only adds to the suspicion that his arrest and handcuffing were nothing more than a show of power.

Handcuffing a suspect should not be used as a tool to impress or please a paymaster.

Handcuffing is a measure that should be reserved for exceptional circumstances, such as when a suspect poses a threat to themselves or others, or when there is a risk of escape or flight.

In Farotimi’s case, there is no evidence to suggest that he posed any threat or risk, making his handcuffing all the more egregious.

The use of handcuffs as a means of intimidation and humiliation is a clear abuse of power and a violation of the fundamental human rights of suspects.

The Nigerian government and security agencies must take steps to ensure that handcuffing is only used in exceptional circumstances and that suspects are treated with dignity and respect.

To put an end to this theatre of absurdity, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) should intervene now and exercise the power bestowed upon him by Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and enter a nolle prosequi in this matter.

This will send a clear message that the misuse of handcuffs will not be tolerated and that the rights of suspects will be protected.

The handcuffing of Dele Farotimi is a clear example of the abuse of power and the misuse of handcuffs as a tool to intimidate and humiliate suspects, and to curry favour with powerful interests.

Injury to one is injury to all. The handcuffing of Dele Farotimi is a signpost that our collective freedom and dignity are at stake.

We must stand together to demand justice and an end to this blatant abuse of power.