Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has been ordered to remain in custody following allegations of defaming Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University.
Earlier reports indicated that Farotimi was brought before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday.
He faces accusations of damaging the reputation of Afe Babalola in his recently released book, titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi entered a plea of not guilty to all sixteen counts against him.
During the proceedings, police prosecutor Samson Osun requested that Farotimi be held in prison while further investigations are conducted, citing concerns for public safety.
In response, the defendant’s attorney, Dayo Akeredolu, opposed the remand, urging the court to grant bail under lenient conditions, asserting that the case is bailable and that Farotimi is a well-known individual who poses no flight risk.
Akeredolu emphasized that the principle of presumption of innocence should apply until proven guilty.
According to DAILY POST,despite these arguments, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favor of the remand, ordering Farotimi to remain in custody and scheduling the next hearing for December 10.
From Opera News
