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Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi has been remanded in prison for allegedly defaming a legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.
The Eastern Updates earlier reported that Farotimi was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday.
The activist was accused of maligning and defaming the character of Afe Babalola in his recently published book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
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Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen count charges.
Police prosecutor, Samson Osun called for the remand of the suspect in prison custody pending further investigation and its outcome for the maintenance of security in the country.
Counsel to the defendant, Dayo Akeredolu opposed the call, pleading with the court to admit the defendant to bail on very liberal terms and on self-recognisance.
According to him, the case at hand is bailable and the suspect is a known figure who is not constituting any threat.
He said the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun remanded the suspect in prison custody and adjourned till December 10.
In other news, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has voided the rape conviction of the Managing-Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Femi Olaleye
The appellate court on Friday ruled that the lower court erred in its judgment.
It thereafter discharged and acquitted Olaleye.
Recall that in October 2023, the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos convicted Olaleye on a two-count charge of defilement of a child and sexual assault by penetration.
In other news, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, has announced that its founder, Fisayo Soyombo, has been released from detention by the Nigerian Army.
The Eastern Updates had reported that Soyombo and others were arrested for oil bunkering and have been in the custody of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt for three days.
