Alleged defamation: I didn’t send anybody to plead with Afe Babalola — Farotimi
Mr Dele Farotimi, Detained human rights lawyer and activist, has stated that he did not send anyone to plead with elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, who took him to court for defamation.
This came as some associates of the detained human rights lawyer, yesterday, called for his release, saying his rights had been violated.
Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ekiti State following a petition by Babalola regarding his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
Recall that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, recently paid a visit to Afe Babalola, with sources suggesting that the visit was to make a plea on behalf of Farotimi.
But speaking on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Mr Tope Temokun, a lawyer for Dele Farotimi, stated that during a prison visit on Friday, Farotimi denied asking Peter Obi to appeal to Afe Babalola or seek an out-of-court settlement.
Temokun said: “I visited Mr Dele Farotimi in a correctional service in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday afternoon.
“The events of the recent days; the visit of Mr Peter Obi, the (2023) presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to Aare Afe Babalola; his visit to Mr Dele Farotimi, created some lack of clarity; people are not so clear about some things; people are not clear about what is going on. It is based on this that I had to visit him yesterday, and we sat together and had a good discussion.
“After Peter Obi left Ekiti, the news that filtered through the town to the issue of the conditions for release, the issue of apology, the issue of whether Mr Dele Farotimi can do this or that to come out.
“I told him (Farotimi): the reason I am here is to confirm from you, ‘What do you think should be done?’ The visit of Mr Peter Obi to you in person and the subsequent visit to Aare Afe Babalola: What do you know about it? What is your message to Aare Afe Babalola? What is your message to the people outside? What is also your message to me as part of your legal team?
“He (Farotimi) said if anybody who is familiar with his antecedents, with his principles, with his philosophy over time should join anybody to believe that in a matter where he had written a book that he had published and that had been in circulation, that if anybody, or somebody should join others to believe that he has sent anybody to beg anybody, he said he will be so disappointed in that person.
“He told me categorically that even you, Tope, if you join anybody to believe that I could beg anybody or that I have sent anybody to beg anybody, I will be so disappointed in you.”
Associates call for activist’s release
Meanwhile some associates of Dele Farotimi, in a statement by Mr Taiwo Akinlami, stated that the recent arrest and detention of Farotimi reflect a troubling disregard for procedural fairness and the rule of law.
The group, however, insisted that there were irregularities in the arrest procedures of the activist.
The statement, titled ‘Unlawful arrest and detention of Mr Dele Farotimi: A call for justice’, reads: “We, the associates of Mr Dele Farotimi, a distinguished author and legal practitioner, are deeply troubled by the blatant violations of his rights following his recent arrest and detention. This press release is issued to highlight the irregularities surrounding his case and to demand his fair treatment and prompt release by the law.
“Mr Dele Farotimi, author of ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, has become the target of criminal and civil litigations tied to his book. Despite his willingness to address these issues legally, his recent arrest and detention reflect a troubling disregard for procedural fairness and the rule of law.
“These events have significantly disrupted Mr Farotimi’s ability to prepare for multiple civil suits filed during his detention. As associates, we are also concerned about the toll this situation is taking on his family, particularly his 76-year-old mother, who has already suffered the loss of one child.”
While condemning the misuse of state resources, the associates called for an investigation into the irregularities in his arrest and detention.
Akinlami said: “We condemn the misuse of state resources and apparatus to persecute Mr Farotimi and call on the Nigerian authorities to facilitate the immediate release of Mr Farotimi on bail; investigate
“This case is a test of the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. We urge all individuals and organizations committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law to join us in advocating for Mr Farotimi’s rights and freedom.”
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