Dele FarotomiUBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu has been cleared of direct role in the arrest of one of Nigeria’s leading civil right activists and supporters of Peter Obi, Comrade Dele Farotomi. Elumelu, however, remains under the radar of some rights activists over unknown outstanding issues with the arrested activist.
MJConcept TV News reports that the exoneration of Tony Elumelu was given by Omoyele Sowore who following interactions with the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State declared that Dele Farotomi was arrested based on a petition raised by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
The mention of Tony Elumelu in the saga came after Dele Farotomi claimed in a press statement that has now resurfaced how he was allegedly confronted with a petition written by the banker’s lawyer when he visited the Police station on 13th November, 2024 following an invitation.
Following the revelation social media circus around Tony Elumelu erupted with some vowing to hold him responsible for one of the country’s most erudite social activists.
However, it subsequently emerged that Dele Farotomi had other entanglements with Afe Babalola dousing insinuations that Tony Elumelu was directly involved in the arrest of the popular activist.
The exoneration of Elumelu was expressed by 2023 African Action Congress, AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
He said:
I just spoke with Kunle Akinwale, the Commissioner of @PoliceNG Ekiti State Command. He admits that they arrested @DeleFarotimi and that he’s being driven from Lagos to Ekiti by road.
I told him categorically that this constituted an abuse of @PoliceNG‘s powers and that this… pic.twitter.com/Bw7WcYgCud
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) December 3, 2024
MJConcept TV News reports that the exoneration of Tony Elumelu from the arrest of Dele Farotomi came after some social media enthusiasts had gone to accuse the banker of having a hand in the arrest.
However, the exact issue over which Tony Elumelu was alleged to have petitioned the Police on the alleged defamation allegation against Dele Farotomi has, however, not been brought forward.
Some had accused the banker of using his influence with President Bola Tinubu to go against Dele Farotomi, a claim that has now been cast aside by the latest developments from the Police.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi has denounced the arrest of Dele Farotomi who was one of his strongest backers in the 2023 General Election. He was also at the same time one of the strongest critics of the All Progressives Congress, APC winner of the election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Many had initially taken the arrest as having been fanned by the authorities.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have been reacting to the arrest:
Tony Elumelu wrote a petition which he honored at zone 2 police station while chief Afe Babalola sent the police from Ekiti state and also harassed his workers
If someone like Uncle Dele can be oppressed like this who are we the common Man @PoliceNG Buhari no do like this to us https://t.co/7FRnhjp7K6
— Nina💕 (@Nellye190) December 3, 2024
Without factchecking you guys falsely accused UBA owner Tony Elumelu of arresting Dele Farotimi whereas it’s Afe Babalola SAN that initiated his arrest via petition to Police over defamation of character.
Mob Generation of One Way Traffic 🤔
— UNCLE DEJI™️ (@DejiAdesogan) December 3, 2024