The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola, has dismissed claims that he is leveraging his influence to target human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. The controversy stems from allegations of defamation following statements made by Farotimi in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi was arrested by the police in Lagos on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, and subsequently remanded by Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, who adjourned the case until December 10, 2024. Despite pleas from his defense lawyer, the court declined Farotimi’s bail application.
Protests Gain Momentum
In response, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, founded by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, has called for nationwide and global protests. Mobilization is underway in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, and London, with demonstrators set to converge on December 10 to condemn what they describe as judicial overreach and police impunity.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of TIB, accused the police of acting as tools of oppression for private interests. He also criticized the judiciary for denying Farotimi oral bail, describing the actions as a “selective application of justice” that exposes systemic bias.
Sanyaolu declared, “This is not just about Farotimi. It’s about the countless Nigerians subjected to injustice through abuse of law enforcement and judicial processes. We must challenge this impunity.”
Omoyele Sowore also rallied support, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “The December 10 Abuja protest is taking shape. Nigerians must occupy key locations to demand accountability from the Attorney General, the judiciary, and the police.”
Afe Babalola Denies Abuse of Power
Afe Babalola’s lawyer, Owoseni Ajayi, refuted claims of undue influence in the case, insisting that the law was being followed. “We are pursuing this case through proper channels,” Ajayi said. “Farotimi must defend his statements. Publishing falsehoods and labeling the Supreme Court as corrupt without evidence cannot go unchallenged.”
Ajayi questioned the backlash against the legal action, emphasizing that Farotimi, despite his activist status, is not above the law.
Afenifere Weighs In
The pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere criticized the judiciary’s handling of the case, describing the decision to remand Farotimi as unjustifiable. In a statement by Deputy Leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Prince Justice Faloye, Afenifere questioned the jurisdictional grounds for trying the case in Ado Ekiti.
They noted that the book in question was authored and published in Lagos, where Farotimi resides, and argued that the relocation of the trial to Ekiti raised serious questions about fairness and objectivity.
“The judiciary, which is under scrutiny in Farotimi’s book, now finds itself on trial before the world. Its actions in this case could either demonstrate incompetence or reveal undue influence,” Afenifere warned.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Farotimi’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, described his client’s arrest and arraignment as procedurally flawed. “Farotimi was never invited by the Ekiti police, contrary to their claims,” Temokun said. “Transporting him from Lagos to Ekiti without jurisdiction is a breach of due process that undermines the legitimacy of the case.”
Protests Set to Intensify
With growing public outrage and international attention, the planned protests are expected to amplify calls for judicial reform and accountability. As tensions escalate, all eyes remain on December 10, when both the protests and Farotimi’s next court appearance will test the resilience of Nigeria’s justice system.
This unfolding saga pits legal principles against accusations of systemic bias, raising critical questions about power, influence, and the pursuit of justice in Nigeria.
