The Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Wednesday ordered the remand of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, at the state correctional centre.
Farotimi was arraigned on allegations of defamation of character linked to his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, in which he claimed, among other things, that Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, had compromised the Supreme Court.
The police prosecutor, Samson Osubu, filed a 16-count charge against Farotimi. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, after hearing the submissions, adjourned the case to December 10, 2024, for further proceedings.
“The defendant should file a formal application for bail. The matter is adjourned till Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The defendant is hereby ordered remanded at the Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti,” Adeosun ruled.
Farotimi’s arrest occurred in Lagos on Monday, when police officers from Ekiti State transported him to Ado Ekiti, where he was arraigned.
In a statement seen by News Central , Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, justified the arrest, citing allegations of cyberbullying and defamation.
“The offences allegedly committed by Farotimi include defamation of character, cyberstalking, and other related offences. These allegations are fully established,” Akinwale stated.
He further explained, “We are investigating him (Farotimi). If the suspect is arrested, we will bring him for investigation. We will conduct our investigation and determine his level of culpability or otherwise.”
