Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, has refuted allegations of using his influence against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who was remanded by an Ekiti court for defamation.
The Ekiti State Police arrested human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi in Lagos on Tuesday, following a petition from Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), and subsequently arraigned him in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday on 16 counts of defamation. The police requested his remand in a correctional facility, while Farotimi’s defense attorney sought bail.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun denied bail and adjourned the case until December 10, 2024.
Babalola’s lawyer, Owoseni Ajayi, dismissed claims of undue influence, asserting that the legal process was followed appropriately after the arrest.
He stated “We cannot deal with him against the law.”
“That is not naturally possible, otherwise, we would not have reported him to the police for due process to take place. Immediately he was arrested by the police, he was arraigned in court.”
Ajayi, also rejected claims that Dele Farotimi was arbitrarily arrested. He stated, “Those commenting on this matter are unaware of what he wrote; he was not arbitrarily arrested.”
“Why is anybody saying influence was being used on him don’t they want him to defend himself? All the lies that he published in a book and circulated is that using influence to ask him to defend himself in the law court?
“Are they saying that somebody who was defamed should accept it like that so that people would not accuse him of using influence? There is nothing like using influence or clout here.
“Farotimi is a lawyer, but he was castigating the Supreme Court, describing it as a haven of corruption without any shred of evidence. If he should be dealt with according to the law, is that using influence?
“Are those who are talking about the matter, describing Farotimi as an activist, saying he should be defaming people because he is an activist with the hope of gaining popularity?”
Protests are being organized by the Take It Back Movement in multiple cities on December 10 including Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja and London criticizing the police and judiciary’s actions in the case.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, announced on Thursday plans for protests aimed at addressing what he termed the “impunity of the Nigeria Police and the conspiracy of the judiciary.” He criticized the “Gestapo manner” of Dele Farotimi’s arrest, stating that it highlights the illegality of police actions and raises concerns about public safety.
Sanyaolu expressed alarm over the court’s refusal to grant bail to Farotimi, suggesting it reflects selective justice. He urged all Nigerians to join the movement in demanding accountability from the judiciary during protests scheduled for December 10.
In a post on X, Omoyele Sowore announced that the mobilization for protests against the detention of Dele Farotimi is gaining momentum. He urged participants to gather at 7 AM on December 10 at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, with plans to occupy the Federal High Court Complex and march to the Police Headquarters.
Sowore emphasized that many crimes against humanity in Nigeria involve collusion between the police and judiciary. Meanwhile, Farotimi’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, criticized the police’s claims of an invitation for Farotimi’s arrest, stating that taking him from Lagos to Ekiti was unjustifiable and undermines the legal process.
Also Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, criticized the remand of Dele Farotimi by the Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, stating that it reflects extraneous influences rather than legal principles.
In a statement from Deputy Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Prince Justice Faloye, the group condemned the denial of bail for Farotimi, who pleaded not guilty to 16 defamation charges.
They argued that the court’s decision violates democratic norms and questioned the appropriateness of Ado Ekiti as the trial venue, given that the alleged defamatory material was published in Lagos. Afenifere called for Farotimi’s immediate release on bail and emphasized the need for due process in accordance with constitutional rights.
