The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has denied bail to human rights activist Dele Farotimi, who is facing charges of alleged defamation against Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
During the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled that the bail application submitted by Farotimi’s counsel was “incompetent and irregular,” as argued by Samson Osobu, the counsel representing the police. The court consequently adjourned further consideration of the bail application to December 20, 2024.
Details of the case and its next proceedings will be provided as they become available.
Additional details have since emerged during the proceedings. Farotimi pleaded not guilty to 14 amended charges during his arraignment, down from the initial 16 charges brought against him. His legal team, led by Adeyinka Olumide Fusika (SAN), has filed a preliminary objection to dismiss the charges, arguing they lack legal validity under Ekiti State law.
The defence outlined five key grounds for the objection, citing the repealed status of the Criminal Code Law and a lack of jurisdiction by the magistrate to preside over the case. Farotimi’s team, composed of 20 lawyers including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, emphasized that the alleged defamation does not constitute an offence under the state’s current criminal laws.
Meanwhile, public interest in the case continues to grow, with observers criticizing the prolonged detention of the activist despite widespread calls for his release.
Further details and developments will be shared as they unfold.
