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The Take It Back Movement has declared its intention to continue with planned protests in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London, and Canada, aimed at denouncing the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamation.
This decision stands in defiance of warnings from the Ekiti State Police Command, which recently banned public protests, unlawful gatherings, and the use of fireworks, citing security risks.
In a statement issued by Ekiti State Police spokesperson, Abutu Sunday, the command emphasized that “any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration, or protest is unacceptable.”
The police claimed to have intelligence suggesting that certain individuals might hijack such protests to instigate violence and cause panic in the state.
Despite this, the Take It Back Movement shared a flyer via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, reaffirming its commitment to the protests.
The flyer, titled “Nationwide/Global Protest Against The Nigerian Judiciary,” called on Nigerians to resist intimidation and speak out against perceived injustice.
The protest, according to information gathered by Naija News, is scheduled for December 10, 2024, at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters in Ado Ekiti.
The movement’s rally is also expected to be mirrored in other cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, Toronto, and London.
A one-minute video released by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reinforced the movement’s position.
In the clip, Sowore declared, “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 protests stem from the legal ordeal of Dele Farotimi, who was arrested following a petition from Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
Babalola accused Farotimi of attempting to tarnish his hard-earned reputation through defamatory statements in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
Following the petition, Ekiti State Police arrested Farotimi in Lagos on Tuesday and subsequently arraigned him at the Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
During the hearing, the police requested that Farotimi be remanded in a correctional facility. His lawyer, however, pleaded for bail.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun rejected the bail request and ordered that Farotimi be remanded, adjourning the case to December 10, 2024 — the same date as the planned protest.
The police have since pressed additional charges against Farotimi at a Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.
The fresh charges relate to alleged cybercrime offences, citing comments made by the activist during an appearance on ‘Mic On Podcast’, hosted by renowned journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
During the interview, Farotimi was alleged to have accused Aare Afe Babalola of compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
