Human rights lawyer The Prophet, Dele Farotimi, was arraigned today in a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, accused of cybercrime based on a defamation complaint by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
The charges against Farotimi based on a book he recently published; “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
One of the charges against him read, “That you, Dele Farotimi, authored, published, and circulated your book… wherein you stated on page IX of the book: ‘That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment.‘”
The charge said his statements could “cause fear and alarm to the public” even while it was false.
Another charge stated that Farotimi, in his book, claimed Babalola and others “compromised the Supreme Court” and that such stated could cause “hatred, contempt, ridicule” to Mr Babalola.
It said by these actions Farotimi “committed an offence contrary to Section 373 of the Criminal Code Act.“
After hearing arguments for a bail application, the court refused to grant Farotimi bail and permitted him to be remanded in custody.
The court has now scheduled the next hearing for December 10, 2024.
Reactions
Moments after the news broke, fellow activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, fired up a tweet, blasting the Nigerian justice system as “wack.”
He said Mr Farotimi was “hurriedly prosecuted and sent to prison after being denied bail,” and alleged that the entire episode was “pre-arranged.”
Sowore accused Chief Afe Babalola and his cohorts of having “it all planned out even before they sent the goons from Ekiti state command RRS (formerly SARS) to abduct” Mr. Farotimi. Farotimi was arrested on Tuesday.
The public initially believed his arrest was in connection with another defamation petition by United Bank for Africa Chairman Tony Elumelu.
Farotimi is not a fan of Nigeria’s ruling elite. He often describes them as “Nigeria’s ruining crass,” incompetent and vile, and in his view, responsible for the nation’s underdevelopment and its inability to keep its glorious promise.
Comment, Like 👍, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
