A lawyer and expert in governance and institutional reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, has taken to X (formerly know as Twitter) to react to the arrest of a lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
According to a post on the official X handle of Dr. Joe Abah, the lawyer insisted that libel is a civil matter and should not lead to police interference. He noted that the only time a person accused of libel should be arrested is when it provokes a breach of peace and can lead to public unrest. He wondered if the accusation against Dele Farotimi provokes a breach of peace.
Dr. Joe Abah had written, “Libel is a civil matter. Libel should only be an offence against the State when it provokes a breach of the peace, can lead to public unrest or result in public harm. What is Dele Farotimi accused of that offends the State, please? Does anyone know?”
Dr. Joe Abah’s reaction is coming barely 24 hours after Dele Farotimi was reported to have been arrested in his office in Lagos State.