THE Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, December 4, remanded a human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, in custody after denying him bail following his arraignment on a 16-count charge of cybercrime.
Farotimi, renowned for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for justice, was arrested following a petition filed by Afe Babalola, a senior advocate.
The charges, detailed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, centre on allegations of defamation stemming from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The case, with suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State commissioner of police as the complainant, according to Sahara Reporter.
It quoted court filings as saying excerpts from the book allegedly made damaging remarks about Babalola, referring to him in disparaging terms.
The filing shows the prosecution arguing that such descriptions were intended to harm the senior advocate’s reputation.
The charges partly read, “Count X: 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 criminally defamed the person of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, FCIArb in page 70-71, of the said book where you stated: “But the court as though enthralled by whatever Afe the Circus Master had promised the justices, acted with utmost carelessness about the integrity of the court, the interest of the citizens and the State that they had been sworn to protect.
“The conspiracy was always a step ahead of us because some of the clients mistook key members of the confederacy of friends and helpers” which statement you knew were false allegation and likely to injure the reputation of the said Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, FCIArb, LL.D by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule and damage him in his profession and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 373 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code Act.
“Count XI: 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 criminally defamed the person of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, FCIArb in page 80, of the said book where you stated: “But Afe knew that he could get the Supreme Court to do whatever he wanted and to rule however he asked. Pedro knew this too and he being the original Lagos boy, showed Afe a bit of Lagos magic. Afe Babalola and the Eletus might have killed the buffalo but had no way from feeding from the carcass.
“We have turned the corrupt triumph at the Supreme Court into a pyrrhic victory and it was at this point that Pedro craftily inserted himself into the plot” which statement you knew was false allegation and likely to injure the reputation of the said Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON, FCIArb, LL.D by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule and damage him in his profession and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 373 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code Act.”
The ICIR reported how the police arrested Farotimi on Tuesday, December 3. His arrest was exposed by the 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in a post on his X handle.
Farotimi was subsequently transferred to Ekiti state, where he was later detained by the State Police Command.
His arrest has sparked outrage, with notable figures like the former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, describing it as a gross misuse of police powers and an assault on democracy and justice.
Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Wednesday, condemned his arrest, while also demanding his immediate release.
The NBA strongly condemned the alleged invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises by the police.
The NBA described the police actions as a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M