A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has ordered the remand of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, at the state correctional facility.
Farotimi was arraigned on Wednesday over allegations of defamation linked to claims made in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The book reportedly accused Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, of compromising the Supreme Court, among other allegations. The police prosecutor, Samson Osubu, presented 16 counts against Farotimi, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun adjourned the case until December 10, 2024, directing the defense to file a formal bail application. “The defendant is hereby ordered remanded at the Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti,” Adeosun stated.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Monday by policemen from Ekiti State and transported to Ado Ekiti, where he was arraigned.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, defended the arrest, stating that Farotimi faced allegations of cyberstalking and defamation. According to Akinwale, “The offences of defamation of character and cyberbullying have been fully established. We are investigating him to determine his level of culpability.”
