The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has denied bail to human rights activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following a suit filed against him by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged cybercrime and defamation.
Farotimi is accused of defaming the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) in his book, *Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System*, where he alleged that Babalola compromised the Supreme Court.
During Tuesday’s court session, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun deferred the decision on Farotimi’s bail application to December 20. The delay came after the lawyer to the police, Samson Osobu, argued that the application was incomplete and improperly filed.
This ruling contrasts with a Federal High Court decision on Monday, which granted Farotimi bail in the same case. Despite this, the activist was ordered to be remanded at a correctional centre in Ekiti State by the magistrate court.
Farotimi was reportedly arrested by the police in Lagos and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he appeared before the magistrate court.
The arrest has sparked widespread criticism, with activists and legal professionals condemning the action. Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, called for Farotimi’s immediate release, accusing the police of being used to settle personal scores.
Sowore wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, “The Nigerian police cannot continue to be a tool for personal vendettas. We, the citizens of Nigeria, will not tolerate such actions. Barrister Dele Farotimi must be released immediately.”
A legal luminary and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), also criticized the arrest, describing it as unlawful and demanding Farotimi’s unconditional release. “The arrest is illegal, and we insist on his immediate release from police custody,” Falana added.
But in their defence, the police claimed Farotimi ignored previous invitations to appear for questioning, citing cyberbullying and defamation as reasons for his detention.
