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A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the remand of human rights advocate Dele Farotimi over allegations of criminal defamation against Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Farotimi was arraigned on Wednesday on a 16-count charge stemming from statements in his book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”. The police allege that the book contained defamatory claims accusing Babalola and others of compromising the Supreme Court.
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 at 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 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 December 10.
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.
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