Dele Farotimi, a human rights attorney and activist, has been placed on remand in jail for allegedly disparaging Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, the founder of Afe Babalola University and a prominent figure in the legal community.
Farotimi was charged Monday before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, according to prior reports.
In his recently released book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” the activist was charged with disparaging and slandering Afe Babalola’s reputation.
Farotimi entered a not guilty plea to each of the sixteen counts.
Samson Osun, a police prosecutor, demanded that the defendant be placed under detention in jail pending the conclusion of additional investigation in order to preserve national security.
In opposition to the request, the defendant’s attorney, Dayo Akeredolu, begged the court to grant the defendant bail on extremely lenient conditions and upon self-recognition.
He asserts that the suspect is a well-known individual who poses no threat and that the issue at hand is one that is subject to bail.
“Until proven guilty, the defendant is presumed innocent,” he stated.
However, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, the sitting court, decided to postpone the case to December 10 and detain the suspect in jail custody.
