The legal confrontation between the Nigerian Police and human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has intensified as fresh cybercrime charges have been filed against him.
This development follows an earlier set of charges related to defamation, marking an escalation in the ongoing legal saga.
The new 12-count indictment was submitted on Friday at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.
These charges come just days after Farotimi's initial arrest in Lagos on December 3, 2024, by the Ekiti State Police Command. He was previously arraigned on a 16-count charge of defamation against Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, stemming from statements made in his book, "Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System."
In the latest charges, Farotimi is accused of making defamatory remarks on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, allegedly maligning and intimidating Afe Babalola.
Additionally, he faces accusations of publicizing details of legal actions against him during a press conference held on December 2, 2024, prior to his arrest.
The magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had earlier remanded Farotimi in prison custody until December 10, pending further proceedings.
The case has sparked widespread debate over issues of defamation, freedom of speech, and the dynamics within Nigeria's criminal justice system. Meanwhile, Afe Babalola's legal team has outlined conditions for Farotimi's release, emphasizing that he must substantiate his allegations against Babalola.
"Once Mr. Dele Farotimi can show proof that his assertions in the book are true, then he will be free," stated Owoseni Ajayi, one of Babalola's lawyers, during a press briefing in Ado Ekiti.
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