Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been denied bail and remanded in prison custody. His case has been adjourned till December 20, 2024
Dele Farotimi is facing a 16-count charge at the magistrate court for alleged defamation of Afe Babalola (SAN).
He arrived at the court premises around 9:49 today, Tuesday, December 10, accompanied by operatives of the Rapid response squad of the Nigeria police force and the Nigeria Correctional center.
Farotimi is alleged to have maligned Babalola’s reputation in his recently published book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Aare Afe Babalola had considered aspects of the 104-page book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice’ authored by Farotimi, as defaming him and petitioned the Police to take action.
The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, granted bail to the defendant, in the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun against him over alleged cybercrime.
At the commencement of proceedings, the prosecution challenged the appearance of the defendant’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), before the Magistrate Court on the basis that “a SAN should not appear in a lower court.”
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun adjourned his ruling on this objection to a later date.
The Senior Advocate subsequently stepped down from the proceedings paving the way for the other lawyers present with him in court to continue their representation for the defendant.
The team now has Taiwo Adedeji, Ayodele Ademiluyi and Mayowa Omojola representing the defendant, Dele Farotimi.
The prosecution has also served the defendant, Dele Farotimi, with an amended charge, which reduces the initial 16 counts to 14 counts.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After his plea, the court then listened to arguments for and against the bail application of the defendant.
After which Magistrate Adeosun reserved his ruling on the application for bail to Friday, December 20, 2024.