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A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and African Union of Journalists (AUJ) Comrade Lanre Ogundipe has declared that defamation is no longer classified as criminal law in Lagos State.
Ogundipe noted that such an issue can be resolved without intimidating the person or party involved.
He spoke while reacting to the arrest of Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, by the police.
Ogundipe in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday, declared that defamation has been decriminalised in Lagos in 2011.
“With this breach I hereby demand for an unconditional release of Mr. Farotimi without further delay from the police custody.
“It is unjust and it is against the principle of natural justice for the Nigeria Police to invade and arrest human right activist – Dele Farotimi on a mere defamatory allegation that has not been proved.
“Defamation is no longer a classified criminal law, the issue can be resolved without necessarily intimidating the other party with unnecessary show of power by invading his office to effect his arrest.
“The police action on Dele Farotimi is oppressive and a misuse of power and it constitutes a breach of the lawyer’s fundamental rights.
“Defamation is no longer a criminal offence in Lagos state. The law has since been decriminalised in Lagos in 2011.
“The Police legal department failed in its duty to do a thorough job to advise its operational agents on the position of law in the state to stave-off Dele’s arrest.
“With this breach, I hereby demand for an unconditional release of Mr. Farotimi without further delay from the police custody,” he said.
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