Oh Nigerians, Oh World: Don’t Let Dele Farotimi Die in Silence—Rise on December 10!, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

Dele Farotimi is more than a lawyer—he is a symbol of courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice in a nation plagued by systemic oppression. His book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, is not just a critique but a fearless exposé of corruption that dares to name the enablers and benefactors of Nigeria’s broken system. Farotimi has consistently stood above tribal divisions, championing unity and justice for all Nigerians. In the last election, he served as the spokesperson for Peter Obi—a man from the Southeast—even as a Yoruba man himself. He sees no tribe, no division, only the truth.

And yet, today, look at what has been unleashed upon him. Oh God, see the Yoruba men and woman who now stand against him, directly or indirectly, in this orchestrated persecution. The President, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Ekiti Magistrate, the Ekiti Police Commissioner, and of course, the great Ekiti demi-god Afe Babalola—all from the same Yoruba lineage as Farotimi—have become the architects of his torment.

A Voice for All Nigerians, Now Silenced by His Own

Farotimi has always fought for the greater good, not for sectional interests. His vision for Nigeria is one of unity, justice, and accountability. Yet, despite his sacrifices and his refusal to be bound by tribal loyalties, he now suffers at the hands of his own Yoruba kin. What does this say about our humanity, about the values we claim to uphold?

The actions of these Yoruba leaders, directly or indirectly, paint a damning picture of power unchecked by empathy. Farotimi has been abandoned to a system that thrives on oppression, dragged into a web of cruelty orchestrated by those who should have stood by him.

A Calculated Campaign of Oppression

Farotimi’s persecution began with his unlawful abduction from Lagos by Ekiti police—a brazen act of jurisdictional overreach carried out with violence and intimidation. Once in Ekiti, he faced a judiciary that denied him bail on spurious grounds, effectively siding with the forces of oppression.

Now, in Ekiti prison, Farotimi is subjected to conditions so inhumane they amount to torture. Reports of starvation, denial of medical care, and deliberate mistreatment reveal a calculated effort to break him physically, emotionally, and mentally. His crime? Telling the truth, exposing the failures of the Tinubu administration, the CJN’s complicity, and the AGF’s role in perpetuating systemic injustice.

Afe Babalola’s Wrath and the Shadow of Yoruba Power

Afe Babalola, a man revered as a legal icon and the so-called demi-god of Ekiti, is at the center of this persecution. While his influence is undeniable, do not be deceived—he is only one piece of a larger agenda. Farotimi’s fight is not just against Babalola but against a system controlled by the very Yoruba leaders who should have been his allies.

How can we reconcile this with the Yoruba values of solidarity, empathy, and justice? How can we watch as a Yoruba son, a man who has fought for all Nigerians regardless of tribe, is destroyed by his own people?

December 10: A Day for Peaceful Resistance

Oh Nigerians, oh Yoruba people, this cannot stand. December 10 is more than a court date; it is a call to action. Let Nigerians rise—not with violence but with peaceful defiance—to demand justice for Dele Farotimi. Let the streets of Lagos, Abuja, and Ekiti echo with voices calling for accountability. Let the world see that we will not stand by while power is weaponized against truth.

Reject the tired excuses of “hoodlum infiltration.” This is a lie designed to stifle dissent and protect the powerful from scrutiny. Nigerians are not hoodlums; we are citizens united in the fight for justice and humanity.

A SAN and Anchor: Misleading Nigerians About Dele Farotimi

On Channels TV’s Law Weekly, SAN Segun Fagbomin inaccurately claimed that Farotimi’s book was published in Ekiti and that Afe Babalola read it there, saying, “He read the book in Ado Ekiti, so he can be prosecuted in Ado Ekiti. The “defamation and publication were made in Ado”, so Farotimi can be prosecuted there. Unfortunately, the anchor, Shola Soyele, did not question these statements, leaving the misleading narrative unchallenged.

Fagbomin’s assertions and Soyele’s silence highlight the ongoing struggle to ensure Nigerians receive accurate information, particularly on sensitive issues like Farotimi’s persecution. Such unchecked claims risk distorting public understanding and shifting focus away from the real injustice at play.

A Global Cry for Justice

This fight is not just Nigeria’s—it is the world’s. Human rights organizations, global media, and foreign governments must take notice of this travesty. Dele Farotimi’s plight is a symbol of the universal fight against oppression and the abuse of power.

Oh Nigerians, Oh World

Dele Farotimi’s suffering is a stain on our collective conscience. A man who has fought for justice without regard for tribe or region is now wasting away in an Ekiti prison, abandoned by those who should have protected him. Oh God, do not let him become sick or die in prison. Nigerians, do not let his life be wasted in silence.

Let December 10 be the day we reclaim our humanity and demand justice. Let our peaceful protests send a message that no one is above the law, and no one will be left to suffer for speaking the truth.

Dele Farotimi must not die in silence. His life, his fight, and his vision for a better Nigeria depend on us. This is not about affiliations or knowing the individuals involved—it is about standing for fairness, justice, and the principles that should guide a nation. As a psychologist with no connections to the players or names in this case, I stand unequivocally for what is right. This is our moment to stand for him, for ourselves, and for the future of Nigeria. Let us rise. Let us act. Let us win.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University,  Weldios University and Walden University.