Prominent Nigerian lawyer Adebayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has initiated a lawsuit against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi at the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
The court document, dated December 9th, 2024, and obtained by Apples Bite Magazine, summons Farotimi to appear before the court within 30 days of service. Adenipekun is listed as the claimant, with Farotimi and his publishing entity named as the first and second defendants, respectively.
The writ explicitly commands Farotimi to enter an appearance within 30 days, warning that failure to do so may result in the proceedings continuing and judgment being rendered in his absence. The legal document also stipulates that the writ must be served within six calendar months or, if renewed, within three calendar months from the last renewal.
This legal action comes amidst ongoing legal challenges facing Farotimi. Simultaneously, he is embroiled in another high-profile legal battle with another prominent lawyer, Afe Babalola.
In a related development, the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has reserved its ruling on Farotimi’s bail application and adjourned the hearing to December 20th, 2024. This decision means Farotimi will remain in custody for an additional 10 days.
During the recent court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, which were reduced from an initial 16 by the prosecution. Through his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), Farotimi has submitted a preliminary objection seeking dismissal of the defamation suit filed by Afe Babalola.
The preliminary objection, filed on December 9th, 2024, challenges the legal validity of the charges based on multiple constitutional and legal provisions, including Section 36(8) of the 1999 Constitution and various sections of the Ekiti State Criminal Law.
Farotimi’s legal team argues that the charges are legally invalid, the magistrate has acted beyond their jurisdiction, and the charge is fundamentally incompetent. The objection specifically highlights that the 16-count charge relates to offenses under the Criminal Code Act, which is applicable in Ekiti State through adoption and domestication.
The Nigerian Correctional Service recently transported Farotimi to the court without handcuffs, following criticism of their previous handling during court appearances.
As these legal proceedings continue to unfold, the case has garnered significant attention, raising important questions about legal procedures, jurisdictional boundaries, and the dynamics of high-profile legal confrontations in Nigeria.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.