Human Rights Law And Activist, Dele Farotimi To Remain In Custody Over Alleged Defamation Of Afe Babalola

Human Rights Law And Activist, Dele Farotimi To Remain In Custody Over Alleged Defamation Of Afe Babalola

Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has been ordered to remain in custody following allegations of defaming Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, a prominent legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University.

According to Daily Post, Farotimi was brought before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday, facing
accusations of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola in his recently released book, titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

Farotimi entered a plea of not guilty to all the sixteen counts against him.

During the proceedings, the police prosecutor, Samson Osun requested that Farotimi be held in prison while further investigations are conducted, citing concerns for public safety.

However, in response to the prosecutor’s request, the defendant’s lawyer, Dayo Akeredolu, opposed the remand, urging the court to grant bail under lenient conditions, asserting that the case is bailable and that Farotimi is a well-known individual who poses no flight risk.

Akeredolu emphasized that the principle of presumption of innocence should apply until proven guilty.

Meanwhile, despite Akeredolu’s arguments, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favour of the prosecutor, ordering Farotimi to remain in custody and scheduling the next hearing for December 10.