THE Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has denied human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi bail.
Farotimi was taken to court for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a senior advocate and the founder of Afe Babalola University.
The judge, Abayomi Adeosun, on Tuesday, December 10, reserved a ruling on the bail application filed by Farotimi till December 20, 2024.
The magistrate court on Wednesday, December 4, remanded Farotimi in custody after denying him bail following his arraignment on a 16-count charge of cybercrime.
Farotimi, renowned for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for justice, was arrested following a petition filed by Afe Babalola, a senior advocate.
The charges, detailed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, bother on allegations of defamation stemming from Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
The case, with suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State commissioner of police as the complainant, according to Sahara Reporter.
It quoted court filings as saying excerpts from the book allegedly made damaging remarks about Babalola, referring to him in disparaging terms.
The filing shows the prosecution arguing that such descriptions were intended to harm the senior advocate’s reputation. ICIR
Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi