Defamation is no longer a crime in Lagos State, according to Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, a former president of the African Union of Journalists (AUJ) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
It is possible to address such a problem without threatening the individual or parties concerned, according to Ogundipe.
In response to the police arrest of human rights activist Dele Farotimi, he addressed.
Defamation was decriminalized in Lagos in 2011, according to a statement released by Ogundipe on Wednesday.
“With this violation, I hereby demand that Mr. Farotimi be released unconditionally from police custody immediately.”
“The Nigeria Police’s invasion and arrest of human rights activist Dele Farotimi on the basis of an unsubstantiated accusation of defamation is unfair and goes against the rules of natural justice.
“Defamation is no longer a classified criminal law; the matter can be settled without overpowering the other party by breaking into his office and making him leave.”
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“The police action against Dele Farotimi is repressive, a misuse of authority, and a violation of the lawyer’s fundamental rights.”
In the state of Lagos, defamation is no longer a crime. Since then, Lagos decriminalized the statute in 2011.
“The police legal department did not fulfill its obligation to provide its operational agents with comprehensive legal advice regarding the state’s legal situation in order to prevent Dele’s arrest.
He said, “With this violation, I hereby demand that Mr. Farotimi be unconditionally released from the police custody without further delay.”
