Elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has reaffirmed his stance that activist lawyer Dele Farotimi is attempting to tarnish his hard-earned reputation through defamatory claims in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Babalola, represented by his legal team comprising Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi, addressed what he described as “misleading narratives” surrounding the legal case.
The lawyers emphasized that Babalola’s petition to the police sought only to hold Farotimi accountable for his allegations.
Ajayi, a former Attorney General of Ekiti State, noted that Babalola’s petition requested law enforcement to invite Farotimi to substantiate his claims or face prosecution for criminal defamation under Nigerian law.
He added that the police were also urged to confiscate defamatory materials until investigations were concluded.
Following the petition, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday and arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
The police requested that the court remand him in custody, a plea upheld by Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, who adjourned the matter until December 10, 2024.
Farotimi’s lawyer sought bail for his client, but the court ruled for his remand pending further hearings.
In response to public outcry, Ajayi stated, “Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for these false utterances? Once Mr. Farotimi can prove his claims, he will be free.
The law allows free speech but not speech that injures another’s reputation.”
Meanwhile, the police have filed additional charges against Farotimi at a Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.
These charges include allegations of cybercrime stemming from statements made during an online interview on Mic On Podcast, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye.
According to the police, Farotimi accused Babalola of corrupting the judiciary, a claim they argue violates the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The first count of the new charges states: “That you, Dele Farotimi, on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast… wherein you stated in the interview that: ‘Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary,’ which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing the breakdown of law and order, thereby committing an offence under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.”
Ajayi urged Nigerians to approach the matter with caution, emphasizing the need for verification of facts. “All facts are verifiable. I urge Nigerians to verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” he said.
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