The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called for the immediate release of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, while condemning his detention by the Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary’s actions in handling his defamation case. The group described the situation as a glaring example of inefficiency within the Nigerian judicial system.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Afenifere’s Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the organization criticized the remand of Farotimi for a bailable offence, terming it a violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights. The group expressed dismay over the Magistrate Court’s refusal to grant bail despite Farotimi’s plea of not guilty to a 16-count charge.
Afenifere noted that the decision to remand Farotimi was a breach of democratic principles and justice, particularly for a case of defamation, which is typically a bailable offence. The group also questioned the choice of Ado Ekiti as the trial venue, describing the justification that Farotimi’s book had been read “all over the world, including Ado Ekiti,” as both unreasonable and laughable.
“This reasoning reflects either undue external influence or incompetence within the judicial process. The judiciary, already criticized in Farotimi’s book, risks placing itself on trial before the global community through such insensitive decisions,” the statement read.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in Aviomoh v. Commissioner of Police (2022) 4 NWLR (Pt 1819) 69, Afenifere argued that criminalizing defamation and imposing imprisonment was excessive and unnecessary, as civil law already provides sufficient avenues for resolving such disputes. The organization stressed that Farotimi, a legal professional with 25 years of experience, is presumed innocent under the Nigerian Constitution.
The group further revealed that this is not the first time Farotimi and the complainant have engaged in legal battles over professional issues, many of which are now documented in the contested book. Afenifere urged the police and judiciary to avoid actions that could be seen as persecution, emphasizing that justice must not only be done but also appear to be done.
Afenifere also called for the trial to be relocated to Lagos, where the book in question was authored and published, while insisting that Farotimi’s rights must be respected.
The rights lawyer was arrested by the Ekiti State Police Command and arraigned in Ado Ekiti on charges of defamation related to his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The book alleges that renowned lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) had influenced decisions at the Supreme Court.
Afenifere concluded by urging authorities to uphold due process and ensure that democratic principles guide the resolution of this case.
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