Organisers of the proposed protest against the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi over defamation charges, the Take It Back Movement has vowed to go ahead with its planned protests in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London and Canada.
Their insistence comes despite a warning by Ekiti State Police Command banning unlawful gatherings, demonstrations, and the sale and use of fireworks across the state, citing concerns over public safety and security threats.
In a statement signed by the state police spokesperson, Abutu Sunday, on Friday, the command 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 X handle on Sunday, indicated that the rally would hold despite police directive.
The flyer for the protest was titled, ‘Nationwide/Global Protest Against The Nigerian Judiciary’ seen by our correspondent, urged Nigerians to refuse to be silenced.
The location of the protest as seen by Channels Television scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Police Headquarters, Ado Ekiti.
A one-minute video also posted by the organisers 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, the people intoxicated by power will be confronted by the power of the people!”
The development comes after the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), last Friday, insisted that Farotimi was out to tarnish his reputation which he had built following many years of hard work and diligent toil
Babalola, who said he petitioned the police to investigate the defamatory allegations 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 on the matter.
Following the petition, the police in Ekiti State arrested Farotimi in Lagos on Tuesday, and arraigned him before an Ekiti State Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday over allegations bordering on defaming the elder statesman.
While the police prayed the court to remand the defendant (Farotimi) to a correctional facility, Farotimi’s lawyer 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 also filed fresh charges against Farotimi at a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti.
The new charges centred on cybercrime allegations picked from the activist’s online interviews.
According to the police, Farotimi appeared on Mic On Podcast hosted by popular broadcast journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, where he accused Babalola of corrupting the judiciary.