The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has said that human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, recently remanded by an Ekiti magistrate court, will be freed from prison if he proves the allegations levelled against him.
Farotimi alleged that Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary system of the country in a book.
Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola, represented by the head of his legal team, Owoseni Ajayi, urged Nigerians to seek the truth before throwing their weight behind Farotimi.
“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,” Owoseni said.
“Until then, the law allows free speech, but not one that is calculated to injure the good reputation of another.”
He urged, “Nigerians to verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” saying “All facts are verifiable”.
‘Illegal Custody’
On Tuesday, reports of Farotimi’s arrest made headlines across the nation. According to human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the activist was nabbed in Lagos State over an alleged criminal libel.
“I just confirmed that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel,” he said in a Tuesday statement, calling for “Farotimi’s unconditional release from illegal custody”.
The arrest came hours after Farotimi claimed there were moves by some unnamed persons to silence him, taking to social media to raise the alarm over the development.
“At the station, I was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing me of defamation,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content.”
On Wednesday, the police arraigned Farotimi but the defendant pleaded not guilty to all of the 16 counts levelled against him.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, remanded the author in custody and adjourned till December 10, 2024.
His arrest has triggered debates in the country and beyond. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has joined the calls for the release of the human rights lawyer.
“The NBA unequivocally condemns the invasion of Mr. Farotimi’s law firm, the harassment of its lawyers and staff, and the unlawful seizure of their phones. Such actions are not only a violation of the constitutional right to dignity and privacy but also an affront to the independence of the legal profession,” the NBA said in a statement by its president Afam Osigwe.
“We, therefore demand the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, as his arrest lacks any basis under the laws of Lagos State. The authorities must swiftly launch an investigation into the invasion of his law firm, with the findings made public and those responsible held accountable.”
