Popular rights activist Dele Farotimi has arrived at the Ekiti Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for his trial.
Farotimi arrived at the court premises amid a heavy presence of police officers and other law enforcement agents.
He was arrested following a petition by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, who accused Farotimi of defaming him in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice.
The case, with suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant and Farotimi as the defendant.
Some of the charges read:
“That you, Dele Farotimi ‘m,’ sometime in 2024 authored, published, and circulated your book titled: Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which was received and read all over the world, including Ado-Ekiti within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District, wherein you stated on page IX of the book: ‘That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients,’ which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that the statement is false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code Act.”
The court is set to rule on the bail application filed by the human rights lawyer.
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