By Ayomide Otitoju
The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, on Monday resumed proceedings in a defamation case filed by legal luminary Afe Babalola (SAN) against Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
The case stems from allegations by Babalola that Farotimi’s 104-page book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice, contains defamatory content. Acting on a petition by Babalola, the police arrested Farotimi in Lagos last week and arraigned him before the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on charges of cybercrime.
Court Grants Bail to Farotimi
At the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, the defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million, with a surety of equal amount. The surety must be an Ekiti State resident with a landed property, and Farotimi was ordered to submit his travel passport to the court.
Farotimi arrived at the court premises in a police security van, accompanied by correctional officials, shortly before 10:00 a.m. His legal team and representatives for the plaintiff were already in court awaiting his appearance.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had previously remanded Farotimi in custody and scheduled Monday’s session to hear the bail application.
Calls for Protest by Activists
In response to Farotimi’s detention, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore announced plans for nationwide protests on December 10 in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, and Kings College, London. However, as of Monday morning in Ado-Ekiti, no signs of a protest were visible, and the proposed demonstrations appeared unlikely to proceed.
Allegations of Defamation
The charges against Farotimi center on claims of defamation against Afe Babalola, a respected elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The book in question, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice, allegedly contains statements that Babalola considers damaging to his reputation.
Farotimi, known for his outspoken activism, has yet to comment publicly on the case since his arraignment. Meanwhile, legal and public interest in the proceedings remains high, as the matter touches on issues of free speech, human rights, and the intersection of law and activism in Nigeria.
The case has been adjourned for further hearings, with both sides preparing for a contentious legal battle.
