The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has filed fresh charges against Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate.
The 12-count charge filed before a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti state, on Friday borders on cybercrime allegations.
Count one of the counts reads: “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxB…) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” 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 committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”
On Tuesday, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers attached to the Ekiti state police command over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.
The arrest was connected to a petition written by Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Following his arrest, the activist was arraigned on a 16-count charge at the Ekiti magistrate court over alleged defamation.
The court remanded Farotimi in prison custody pending the hearing of his bail application on December 10.
Meanwhile, Babalola’s legal team said Farotimi will be free when he proves that he is not guilty of the defamatory allegations against the SAN.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Babalola’s lawyers—Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi—said charging Farotimi to court by the police was for the law to take its due course on the matter.
Ajayi said the press conference was to correct the misleading publications about the ongoing matter between the police and Farotimi.
“All facts are verifiable. I urge Nigerians to verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” he said.
“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for these false utterances against him? Should justice only be available to Mr. Dele Farotimi because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon?
“Once Mr. Dele Farotimi can show proof that his assertions in the book are true, then he will be free.
“The law allows free speech, but not one that is calculated to injure the good reputation of another.”
