breaking news

NIGERIA: Breaking: Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Released from Custody****MALAWI: Malawi Innovators Receive Funding To Boost Innovations****NIGERIA: Court Grants Farotimi N30m Bail****Ghanaian President-Elect John Mahama Visits President Tinubu At Presidential Villa****KENYA: Fuel Price Reduces In December Bringing Relief To Kenyans****Malawi Fish Farmers Reap Rewards from Sustainable Aquaculture Practices

← Previous Post

Human Rights Lawyer Dele Farotimi Remanded In Ekiti Prison Amidst Allegations Of Judicial Collusion

Uncategorized

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Human rights lawyer and social critic, Dele Farotimi, has been remanded in prison in Ekiti State following his arrest and prosecution on Tuesday

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, disclosed the development in a Facebook update on Wednesday.

Sowore described the judicial process as a “pre-arranged” scheme aimed at silencing the outspoken lawyer, alleging that Farotimi was denied bail by a judge as he is to remain in custody until December 10, 2024, when his case will be heard.

“The Nigerian justice system is whack,” Sowore wrote on facebook. “As expected, Dele Farotimi has been hurriedly prosecuted and sent to prison after being denied bail by a judge in Ado Ekiti pre-arranged to do the same.”

Sowore further alleged that Afe Babalola, SAN, a renowned Nigerian lawyer, alongside the police and judicial officers, orchestrated Farotimi’s arrest.

“The Police, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, and the judicial officers had it all planned out even before they sent the goons from Ekiti state command RRS (formerly SARS) to abduct him,” Sowore added.

Farotimi’s legal troubles began with a petition reportedly written by Tony Elumelu of UBA Group, accusing him of defamation. This petition led to his arrest by officers of the Ekiti Police Command.

In November, Farotimi had raised concerns via a press statement about an alleged plot to abduct him after receiving an invitation from the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos.

Farotimi’s detention has become a flashpoint for discussions on the state of justice in Nigeria, with critics questioning the fairness and transparency of the process.

Reacting to the development, Adeyanju Deji, a renowned activist wrote “Assuming without conceding that Dele Farotimi is guilty of defaming Baba Afe Babalola, why abduct and take him to Ekiti, Afe Babalola’s turf? Which justice will Dele get in Ekiti?” Deji calls for the release of the embattled lawyer.