Farotimi's arrest was a result of alleged defamation charges brought against him by prominent lawyer Afe Babalola (SAN), following the release of his book "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System".
Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, has spoken out after being released from prison custody, where he was held for 21 days.
In a heartfelt video message titled "The Road to Freedom," released on Sunday, Farotimi expressed his gratitude to Nigerians who rallied around him, saying their collective voice was the reason he didn't become just another victim of the system.
Farotimi's arrest was a result of alleged defamation charges brought against him by prominent lawyer Afe Babalola (SAN), following the release of his book "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System".
He was granted bail after meeting the ₦30 million bail conditions set by a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti IN Ekiti State.
In his message, Farotimi emphasised that his experience is not unique, noting that many Nigerians continue to face similar struggles. He stressed the importance of unity and collective action in bringing about change.
Farotimi also touched on the divisive nature of Nigerian society, where people are often pitted against one another along ethnic and religious lines.
He said none of that mattered as Nigerians united to fight him.
He said, “We stopped being human because we became Nigerians. They divided us and we fell for it. Because you wouldn’t see me as a Yoruba man, you spoke for me, because you wouldn’t see me as a Christian, you spoke for me. Because you spoke, Nigeria couldn’t happen to me.
“The only reason why Nigeria couldn’t happen to me is because you spoke. That is why Nigeria couldn’t happen to me. You found your voices, I became you and in our collective, you couldn’t be silenced.”
"So it wasn't me that became the porcupine, it was you - the Nigerian citizens - you have become the porcupine that is where we have gone to,” he said.
A tearful Farotimi continued, "First question I want you to ask yourself is how many of the people feeling the pain of the Nigerian state in detention or in prison deserve to be where they are? There are multiple people that I met in prison.
"Because we have so many high-profile cases or because Internet has brought it home to all of us. Let's talk about Naomi the former queen, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Principal of Islamic High School Ibadan, Abdullahi Mfasasi.
“Exactly what is it that they have done that has earned them the need to be in prison? We should ask that question but not because of them but because of the many other persons without names that you and I have no knowledge of who are languishing in prison.
"Have you thought about that, that if they do that to those ones, what have they done to those ones nobody knows? They did it to me, you made it you and because you made it you, they couldn't do it to me because our collective, acting together as one turns the tide.
“The tide turned because we acted as one. Some ‘Bulabas’ spoke for me, ‘Obidients’ spoke for me, my brother in the RevolutionNow movement (Omoyele Sowore), all of them spoke for me, traditional rulers - you all spoke and because you all spoke, I couldn't be treated the way each and every one of the other persons who do not deserve to be in prison were treated.
"The system resisted. I spent 21 days in captivity. Those who are inclined to the things of spiritual knowledge understand the significance of 21 days. It pleases God that I should be kept in captivity for 21 days. A full cycle of a woman, a full cycle of modern nature - 21 days I was kept."
He, however, thanked Nigerians for finding their voices and demanding that the rule of law and due process must be followed in the defamation case brought against him.
Through tears, Farotimi expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party; human rights activist and #RevolutionNow Movement convener, Comrade Omoyele Sowore; and his legal team, led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) and Taiwo Adedeji Esq.
Also, he thanked Prof. (Festus) Emeri (SAN), saying despite losing his wife and mother within the period, still found the courage to show up in court, and argue his bail application before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti even though he was notified barely 24 hours earlier.
He said, "Fantastic human beings - all kinds of people - traditional rulers, traditional chiefs from my own town. I spend more time in front of you than I have spent in my own town but the Oba of my town sent a delegation.
“The show of support across the entire strata of our society is humbling. Do I need to talk about gigabyte in Ekiti, the RevolutionNow coordinator in Ekiti and his team, all kind of human beings that I can't even remember to mention their names as I speak with you.
"The Ado-Ekiti prison practically became a tourist centre - big, small everybody. People showed up and I was being told constantly of the loud demand that you were making for my release. I appreciate you all and I must say in all humility that you are the ones who came out of the prison. You found your voices; you demanded that the right thing be done.
"Consistently you made sure that I wasn't working alone. Your voices strengthened me because I heard you even beyond the walls of the prison. I heard you loud and clear.
“You left nobody in any doubt as to what you were demanding. It wasn't about Dele Farotimi even though I was the one who bore your totem. It was essentially a demand made by each and every one of you that the law must be allowed to rule in this situation. Let me be very clear."
His message serves as a call to action, urging Nigerians to continue to speak out against injustice and work together towards a more united and equitable society.
Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y