JUST IN: Court Denies Bail to Dele Farotimi, Orders His Remand in Custody

The Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has refused bail to human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who is facing multiple charges stemming from allegations of cybercrime and criminal defamation. The case, referenced as suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, was filed by the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, with Farotimi as the defendant.

Farotimi’s legal troubles began after a petition was submitted by prominent legal figure Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). The charges against Farotimi are rooted in statements published in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which was widely circulated and read both locally and internationally.

Among the allegations, it is claimed that Farotimi accused Chief Afe Babalola of corrupt practices involving the Supreme Court, asserting that Babalola used his influence to procure fraudulent judgments. The prosecution argues that these claims were false, likely to cause public alarm, and intended to harm Babalola’s reputation and that of his law firm, Afe Babalola & Co.

One section of the charges reads: “That you, Dele Farotimi, authored and circulated your book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, wherein you stated at page IX: ‘That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients,’ a statement likely to cause fear, alarm, or public disturbance, knowing or having reason to believe it was false.”

Further allegations include claims that Farotimi accused Chief Babalola, alongside other named individuals, of compromising the judiciary’s integrity. The prosecution argues that these statements were defamatory and deliberately damaging to the professional reputations of those mentioned.

The court found the charges serious enough to deny bail to Farotimi, remanding him in custody until the next hearing. The case has been adjourned to December 10, 2024.