A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has been remanded in prison by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate court following allegations of defamation against Aare Afe Babalola SAN, the founder of Afe Babalola University.
Farotimi was arrested by officers from the Ekiti State Police Command at his Lagos office on Tuesday.
The charges stem from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, in which he allegedly accused Aare Babalola of corrupting the judiciary and influencing Supreme Court rulings, thereby causing damage to his reputation and career.
The book, according to the charges, exposed Babalola to public hatred, ridicule, and contempt.
Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the sixteen counts of defamation against him.
Police prosecutor, Samson Osun, requested that Farotimi be remanded in prison custody pending further investigation, citing the need for security maintenance.
However, Farotimi’s defense counsel, Dayo Akeredolu, argued against the remand, urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms, stressing that the case was bailable and that Farotimi, being a well-known figure, posed no flight risk.
He also reminded the court that Farotimi was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled to remand Farotimi in custody and adjourned the case for hearing on December 10.
