A Magistrate court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital has detained human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over a supposed case of defamation against the pioneer of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola.
Farotimi was charged by Ekiti State Police Command for publishing a book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he claimed that Afe Babalola debased the Judiciary and procured judgements in the Supreme Court.
The respondent Dele Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen count charge.
Samson Osun, Police examiner, required the remand of the suspect in prison custody awaiting further investigation and its result for the maintenance of security in the country.
Dayo Akeredolu, attorney for the defense opposed the jailed call and pleaded with the court to concede the respondent to bail on exceptionally liberal terms and on self-acknowledgment on the case at hand is bailable and the suspect is a known figure who isn’t constituting any danger.
He said the respondent is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Abayomi Adeosun, the presiding magistrate, in his decision, remanded the suspect in prison custody and adjourned till December 10.
