An Ekiti State Chief Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti has ordered the remand of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi in a correctional facility following his arraignment on charges of alleged defamation. The case stems from claims made in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where Farotimi accused Senior Advocate of Nigeria Afe Babalola of compromising the Supreme Court.
Farotimi’s arrest occurred on December 3, 2024, when he was taken into custody by police from Ekiti State while in Lagos, without prior notification to local authorities. This has raised concerns about the legality of the arrest, as it reportedly violated inter-state protocols. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the actions taken against Farotimi, asserting that defamation is not a criminal offense under Lagos State law, which was affirmed by a Supreme Court ruling in 2021
The incident has sparked widespread criticism from various quarters, including political figures and human rights activists. Notably, Peter Obi, a presidential candidate from the Labour Party, described the arrest as an abuse of police power and called for Farotimi’s immediate release. Activist Omoyele Sowore also highlighted that the case should be treated as a civil matter rather than involving police intervention
Overall, Farotimi’s remand reflects ongoing tensions regarding freedom of expression and the legal boundaries surrounding defamation in Nigeria.
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