AN ADO-EKITI Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamation of the character of legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
Farotimi was arraigned in court over alleged defamation of character following his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System where he is said to have alleged, among others, that Chief Afe Babalola had compromised the Supreme Court.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Monday by policemen from Ekiti State and whisked to Ado Ekiti following which he was arraigned on Wednesday.
Police prosecutor, Samson Osun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in the year.
According to him, Farotimi published a book titled ‘Nigeria and it’s Criminal Justice System’ which impugned the character of Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti.
He alleged that Farotimi in the publication alleged that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the supreme court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients.”
The prosecutor said that the allegation was false and had injured the reputation of Chief Babalola by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule and damage him in his profession.
He said that the book was widely read across the world including Ekiti, hence the arraignment of the defendant in the state.
Osun said that the offence contravened and is punishable under sections 59(1) and 375 of the Criminal Code Act. He urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending further investigation and its outcome for the maintenance of security in the country.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, after listening to the police prosecutor, who filed a 16-count charge to which Farotimi pleaded not guilty, adjourned the matter till Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Ruling on the oral bail application by Farotimi’s counsel, Mr Dayo Akeredolu, Chief Magistrate Adeosun told the counsel to file a formal bail application.
Adeosun said: “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.”
Akeredolu opposed the prayer of the prosecution for the remand of his client and pleaded with the court to admit the defendant to bail on very liberal terms and on self-recognisance, saying the charges were bailable offences.
Akeredolu said the defendant was a first offender and presumed innocent until proven guilty.
