A heated legal battle is brewing between renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola, and human rights activist Dele Farotimi.
The controversy began after Farotimi accused Babalola of corrupting Nigeria’s judiciary in a book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi’s allegations have sparked public debate, with Babalola demanding that the claims be substantiated in court.
Babalola, who is also the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), expressed his position through his legal team during a press briefing in Ado-Ekiti.
Speaking at the press conference, Owoseni Ajayi, the head of Babalola’s legal team, emphasized the need for truth and accountability.
“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for these false utterances against him?” Ajayi asked journalists.
He argued that freedom of speech has limits, stating, “The law allows free speech, but not one that is calculated to injure the good reputation of another.”
Ajayi further urged Nigerians to verify the facts before supporting Farotimi.
“All facts are verifiable. Nigerians should find out the truth first before picking a side,” he stressed.
On Tuesday, reports emerged that Farotimi had been arrested in Lagos over allegations of criminal libel.
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana condemned the arrest, describing it as an infringement on Farotimi’s rights.
“I just confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel,” Falana said in a statement.
He called for Farotimi’s “unconditional release from illegal custody.”
The activist himself had earlier taken to social media to express concerns about threats to his safety.
“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” Farotimi wrote in a Facebook post.
Despite addressing the petition’s content, he was detained and later arraigned on 16 counts of criminal libel.
Court Remands Farotimi
During the court hearing on Wednesday, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, remanded him in custody and adjourned the case to December 10, 2024.
Babalola’s legal team defended the court’s decision, stating that it allows due process to take its course.
At the press briefing, Ajayi laid out the conditions for Farotimi’s release.
“Once Mr. Dele Farotimi can show proof that his assertions in the book are true, then he will be free,” Ajayi declared.
He dismissed claims that the case was an attempt to silence Farotimi, emphasizing that justice applies equally to all.
“Should justice only be available to Mr. Dele Farotimi because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon?” he questioned.
The legal team maintained that the accusations in Farotimi’s book are baseless and aimed at tarnishing Babalola’s reputation.
The case has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians.
While some have called for Farotimi’s release, others insist that he must substantiate his claims.
Activists argue that the case highlights the growing tension between free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria.