Human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, has expressed confidence that he will triumph in the ongoing legal confrontation with retired Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola.
The dispute began after Chief Babalola petitioned the police in Ekiti State, alleging that Mr. Farotimi defamed him in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. This led to the police filing criminal defamation charges against Farotimi and his subsequent arraignment in a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti.
During his arraignment, Farotimi denied the charges. The trial magistrate ordered his remand in prison and set a date for hearing his bail application.
Following his arrest, public outcry ensued, prompting Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last election, to visit Chief Babalola. Reports indicated that Obi appealed to the legal icon to consider Farotimi’s “situation.”
However, Farotimi has categorically opposed any attempts at mediation or pleading on his behalf. During a visit by fellow human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, on Friday, December 13, Farotimi reiterated his commitment to allowing the legal process to take its natural course. He warned his supporters, including Obi, against visiting or petitioning Babalola for his release.
Temokun recounted the meeting with Farotimi at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Service facility, describing the activist as calm yet resolute. “He is unambiguous about it: all he wrote in his book is the truth. Farotimi disowned any move to seek his release through pleas and emphasized that if his claims in the book were untrue, he would bear the consequences. But armed with the truth, he is confident he will have the last laugh,” Temokun said.
The ongoing legal battle has raised questions about fairness, as Farotimi’s opponents have reportedly filed lawsuits in Ibadan, Abuja, and Rivers State while he remains detained in Ekiti. Temokun pointed out the irony of serving court documents to someone unable to defend himself adequately due to his incarceration.
“This book has been in circulation for some time,” Temokun remarked. “Why were these lawsuits filed only after his arrest and remand? Why silence him first before raising these issues? These actions call into question the principles of justice and equity.”
Farotimi’s determination to face the legal battle without compromise has amplified the broader conversation around justice and free speech in Nigeria.
As he remains in custody, Farotimi’s supporters await the unfolding of what promises to be a landmark case in the intersection of law, activism, and truth-telling in the country.
