Civil rights activist Dele Farotimi has criticised the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary for their roles in preventing citizens from holding peaceful protests, describing their actions as proof that Nigeria is merely pretending to be a democracy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Farotimi said that in a true democracy, citizens do not require police permission to stage protests, noting that the police should only be notified to provide security.
He said, “In a democracy, there should never be a need for a police permit before you may have a protest. The police were informed so that they would provide security.
“That a court would presume to curtail the right of citizens to protest peacefully in a democracy is even suggestive of the fact that we’re not in a democracy. We’re only mimicking and pretending to be in one.”
His remarks came after the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, where demonstrators marched despite a court order and police warnings, chanting, “Free Nnamdi Kanu now,” “It’s our constitutional right to protest,” and “Don’t tear gas us.”
Farotimi argued that it is “completely unheard of” for citizens in a democracy to seek permission from their “paid employees,” referring to the police, before holding peaceful gatherings. He accused the judiciary of becoming an arm of the executive and abandoning justice.
“I’m sorry to say our judiciary is unfit for purpose. It does exactly as it is told by the executive and does not serve the cause of justice. An order is only as useful as its lawfulness,” he said.
The activist insisted that peaceful protesters should not be treated as criminals, stressing that only violent offenders deserve arrest. Sharing a personal experience, he recounted being remanded under a “non-existent law,” which he said exposed flaws in Nigeria’s legal system.
“I have been the victim of a court case that trailed me and remanded me on a non-existent law. So what kind of court order is going to stop citizens who are not out for violence from peacefully showing their displeasure with the government?” he asked.
Farotimi added that he no longer participates in protests because he believes the Nigerian state is “deaf” to the cries of its citizens.
“Why I don’t join protests is because I know they are merely protesting to the deaf. How do you tell the deaf you don’t like what is being done to you? The Nigerian state is deaf; it does not listen,” he said.
He further stated that the government’s reaction to the 2020 EndSARS protests showed that nothing had changed, arguing that the police unit was only renamed rather than reformed.
“End SARS, they changed the name to SWAT; today it is RRS. It is the character and nature that have not changed. The Nigerian state does not change anything for anybody. It is not interested in pleasing those who presume themselves to be citizens. It does not care,” Farotimi added.
Meanwhile, police authorities defended their actions during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, with Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin explaining on Politics Today that teargas was used to prevent damage to critical infrastructure in Abuja.
“You see, FCT is very big. You can protest anywhere and your voices will still be heard; it will still be reported by the press,” Hundeyin said.
“These are critical infrastructures that need to be protected. Don’t forget that these are places where protests have happened in the past, and things were destroyed. So, it is our duty as an agency to protect lives and properties and ensure law and order.”
He added that the police acted in compliance with a court order restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way, noting that all “lawful steps” were taken to maintain peace.