Activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has publicly criticized Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, for his silence over the arrest of controversial social media critic, Verydarkman (VDM). Despite widespread protests and calls for the release of VDM, Adeyanju expressed disappointment that Falana, a well-known advocate for civil liberties, had yet to speak out against the detention.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Adeyanju pointedly accused the renowned human rights lawyer of failing to take a stance on the issue, despite his history of defending individual freedoms. "Our revered leader and mentor, Femi Falana SAN yet to condemn the arrest of VDM. Interesting times indeed!" Adeyanju wrote, sparking further conversation on the matter.
The arrest of VDM has ignited a firestorm of reactions across Nigeria, especially on social media, where numerous celebrities, influencers, and activists have demanded his immediate release. Adeyanju drew attention to his own past actions, recalling how he spoke out against the arrest of an individual who had previously incited attacks against him. "When the boy that led people to attack me under Buhari became a victim under the same Buhari and was arrested, I was the first person to condemn it," he added.
The continued detention of VDM has continued to trend, with critics accusing the Nigerian authorities of using their power to stifle dissent and silence critics. The silence of prominent figures such as Falana has only added fuel to the fire, leading to even greater scrutiny of the country's commitment to free speech and human rights.
