HUMAN rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi was earlier today arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court.
Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command, was brought to the court at about 10:25 am Wednesday.
The activist lawyer is being prosecuted on a 16-court charge of defamation of character against a legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).
He was accused of having maligned and defamed the character of Afe Babalola in his recently published book titled, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’
Some of the counts in the charge sheet read, “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ sometimes in 2024 authored, published and circulated your book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ which was received and read all over the world including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District wherein you stated at page IX of the book: ‘That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients’ which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the statements is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code Act.
“That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ sometimes in 2024 authored, published and circulated your book titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” which was received and read all over the world including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District wherein you stated on page X:
‘That Aare Afe Babalola, Olu Daramola, Olu Faro and the law offices of Afe Babalola & Co, (Emmanuel Chambers) compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had when they went back to the Supreme Court and got that court to swimming in the sewer of corruption and shameful self abnegation’ which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the statements is false and thereby committed an offence.
“That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ sometimes in 2024 authored, published and circulated your book titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System which was received and read all over the world including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District wherein you alleged in page X,
‘That Aare Afe Babalola, Olu Daramola, Olu Faro and the law offices of Afe Babalola & Co, (Emmanuel Chambers) compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had when they went back to the Supreme Court and got that court to swim in the sewer of corruption and shameful self- abnegation’ which statement you knew were false and likely to injure the reputation of the said Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), OFR, CON, FCIArb, LL.D.; Olu Daramola, (SAN), FCIArb; Mr Ola Faro and the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co. by exposing them to hatred, contempt, ridicule and damage them in their profession and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 373 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code Act.”
Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all charges. His counsel, Dayo Akeredolu, sought bail on self-recognition, but the police prosecutor, Samson Osun, argued for his remand pending further investigation.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun rejected the bail application, remanding Farotimi in custody until 10 December.
The activist’s arrest on Tuesday at his Lagos office has sparked criticism, with calls from Nigerians urging the police to release him.
Critics have argued that the charges may undermine free expression and dissent in the country.
Eighteen-Eleven Media