The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has filed new accusations against Dele Farotimi, a human rights campaigner.
On Friday, a 12-count complaint was filed before a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state’s capital, alleging cybercrime.
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.”
Officers from the Ekiti state police command detained Farotimi in Lagos on Tuesday for alleged defamation and cyberbullying.
The detention was linked to a suit filed by Afe Babalola, a Senior Attorney of Nigeria (SAN).
Following his detention, the activist faced a 16-count allegation of defamation in the Ekiti magistrate court.
The court remanded Farotimi in prison custody until the hearing of his bail application on December 10.
Meanwhile, Babalola’s legal team stated that Farotimi will be released after he shows that he is not responsible for the defamatory charges against the SAN.
Babalola’s lawyers, Olakanmi Falade, Lawrence Fasanmi, and Owoseni Ajayi, stated at a news conference on Friday that the police’s decision to charge Farotimi in court was for the law to run its course.
Ajayi stated that the news conference was held to address misinformation about the pending police-Farotimi case.
“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.”