Activists in the United Kingdom are set to hold a protest at King’s College London (KCL) against Nigerian senior advocate, Afe Babalola, over the arrest and ongoing trial of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi’s arrest and detention by the Nigeria Police Force in Ekiti State followed a defamation petition filed by Babalola. The allegations stem from claims made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The protest aims to highlight the injustice Farotimi is facing and to demand his immediate release.
The demonstrators will gather at King’s College London to express solidarity with Farotimi and urge the Nigerian judiciary to address the legal and ethical concerns surrounding his detention.
Prominent human rights activist Olawale Bakare, popularly known as Mandate, has used social media platforms to rally Londoners to join the protest at KCL on December 10. Bakare has criticized Afe Babalola’s actions as oppressive and has called on supporters to stand united in defense of justice and free speech.
“Protecting free speech and standing up for one another are vital steps toward creating a better Nigeria,” Bakare said. He encouraged individuals to attend the protest and demand Farotimi’s unconditional release.
“If you’re in London, join us at KCL on Tuesday to protest against Afe Babalola’s tyranny and demand the unconditional release of Dele Farotimi. A free Nigeria begins with protecting free speech and standing up for each other. Be there! #FreeDeleFarotimi,” Bakare wrote on social media.
The London protest is part of a larger movement spearheaded by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and the Take It Back Movement.
Chronicles Reporters previously reported that the Take It Back Movement (TIB), a Nigerian human rights advocacy group, declared December 10 a global day of protests against the Nigerian police for detaining Farotimi on defamation charges.
The protests, titled “Nigerians Refuse to Be Silenced,” will also occur in Lagos at the Afe Babalola Chambers, in Abuja at the Federal Ministry of Justice, at the Ekiti Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, and at King’s College London.
In addition, Chronicles Reporters revealed that King’s College London has faced mounting pressure from international organisations to reconsider its association with Afe Babalola. Activists are urging the university to close its Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education and return Babalola’s donations as a stand against alleged abuses of power.
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