Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has arrived at the Ekiti Magistrate Court amidst heavy security for his alleged defamation case.
The court was fortified with police officers and other law enforcement agents as Farotimi arrived for the highly anticipated hearing.
The case, which has been generating widespread attention, involves a petition filed by lawyer Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) against Farotimi. The charge sheet, with suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant and Farotimi as the defendant.
According to the charge sheet, Farotimi is accused of authoring, publishing, and circulating a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” which allegedly contained false statements about Chief Afe Babalola. The statements, which were said to be likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace, were purportedly made with knowledge or reason to believe that they were false.
The court is expected to rule on Farotimi’s bail application, which was earlier denied on December 4, 2024.
The heavy security presence at the court premises suggests that the authorities are taking precautions to prevent any potential disruptions or unrest.
