Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has expressed deep gratitude to Nigerians for their solidarity, which he believes played a crucial role in securing his release after his arrest earlier this month.
Speaking via YouTube on Sunday, with the message widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), Farotimi became emotional as he reflected on the collective support that sustained him during his legal battles.
“They didn’t see me as just a Yoruba man or a Christian; they saw me as one of them,” he said.
“Because of that, Nigeria couldn’t happen to me. You found your voices and spoke for me. I became you, and together, we could not be silenced.”
Farotimi was arrested by the Ekiti State Police Command on December 3 on charges of defamation and cyberbullying.
The accusations stemmed from his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, in which he alleged that prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including legal icon Aare Afe Babalola, had corruptly influenced Supreme Court Justices.
Following his arraignment in an Ekiti Magistrate Court, Farotimi faced 12 additional charges filed by the Inspector General of Police at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6.
He was granted bail on December 21 under stringent conditions, including a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own property), surrender of his passport, and a restriction from granting media interviews.
Addressing journalists after his release, Farotimi maintained his innocence and reaffirmed his commitment to truth. “The journey is never easy when you’re confronting evil,” he said.
“Years ago, I realized that the truth is the only weapon to fight the monster called Nigeria. I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I say I don’t know.”
Farotimi also emphasized the strength of unity in challenging oppression. “We’ve been divided for too long, but when we stand together, no force can lilence us,” he declared.
