Dele Farotimi, a well-known human rights lawyer and activist, has been ordered to remain in prison custody until December 20. This follows the adjournment of his bail hearing by the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The case arises from accusations of defamation against Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. The allegations are linked to statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he reportedly claimed that Babalola influenced Supreme Court judges through corruption.
Farotimi was apprehended in Lagos and later transferred to Ekiti State, where he faced a 16-count charge. He maintained his innocence by entering a plea of not guilty to all allegations.
During the court proceedings, the police prosecutor sought his detention in prison custody, citing the need for further investigation. In contrast, Farotimi’s defense team advocated for bail under lenient conditions, emphasizing his constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
This case has ignited widespread debate concerning free speech, the credibility of the judiciary, and the legal approach to handling defamation cases. Many critics view the prosecution as a misuse of the judicial system aimed at silencing dissenting opinions.
