A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has denied bail to human rights activist Dele Farotimi, who faces charges of defamation filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Farotimi allegedly defamed Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The court postponed the decision on Farotimi’s bail application to December 20 after the police argued that the application was incomplete.
The ruling contradicts a Federal High Court decision in Ado-Ekiti, which granted Farotimi bail. Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and taken to Ekiti, where he appeared in court on Wednesday.
He faces charges related to statements in his book accusing Babalola of compromising the Supreme Court. Farotimi is currently remanded at the state’s correctional center.
The arrest has drawn widespread condemnation. Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, called for Farotimi’s immediate release. Sowore posted on X,
“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation. Therefore, the police at Zone 2 in Lagos are advised to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also condemned the arrest as unlawful, demanding Farotimi’s release. Falana stated, “The arrest is unlawful and we demand his immediate release from police custody.”
In defense of the arrest, the police claim Farotimi ignored previous invitations to appear before them, citing cyberbullying and defamation as reasons for his detention.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned Farotimi’s detention, describing it as a clear example of the impunity and rights violations pervasive in the country.
Atiku issued a statement on International Human Rights Day, saying, “Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power.
His only offense lies in his unflinching commitment to exposing the truths that the government and its collaborators would rather remain hidden.”
Atiku criticized the legal basis for Farotimi’s detention, revealing that the activist is being prosecuted under a non-existent law in Ekiti State.
“This is troubling. He is detained and prosecuted under the guise of a law that does not even exist in Ekiti State. This reflects the impunity that has become all too common in Nigeria,” he added.
Atiku also raised concerns about the misuse of the cyberbullying law to target dissenting voices, including those in opposition and the press. “The weaponization of the cyberbullying law to harass, intimidate, and silence opposition voices and journalists is alarming.
It is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and the principles of democracy,” Atiku stated.
On International Human Rights Day, Atiku urged Nigerian leaders to recommit to their constitutional duty to protect citizens’ rights, emphasizing that only through this commitment can the country’s democracy thrive.
“Let us remind our leaders that the protection and upholding of constitutionally enshrined rights are fundamental to nurturing and strengthening our democracy. This commitment must not waver,” he urged.
