The Nigerian police have filed fresh charges against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over allegations of cybercrime.
The state police command made the filing on Friday in a plot to frustrate the human rights lawyer’s bail application and keep him in remand.
Farotimi, known for his advocacy for justice and good governance, had appeared before the court on Wednesday following charges brought against him by Afe Babalola SAN under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
The police filed 12 fresh counts against Farotimi, according to court documents.
Some of the counts read, “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxBfZCOA) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” wherein you stated in the interview that: “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the ]judiciary” which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.
“COUNT II: That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxBfZCQA) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” wherein you stated in the interview that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary” with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.
“COUNT III: That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 2nd December, 2024 intentionally sent a message in the course of a press conference held online on your YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k6HzdQXLEK) where you stated that: “It came to my knowledge that there is a charge preferred before a court in Ekiti State against me at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola.”
The Nigerian police had arraigned Farotimi before an Ekiti State court over allegations of cybercrime.
The 16 charges were filed by the police prosecutor on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Babalola’s legal team said Farotimi will be free when he proves that he is not guilty of the defamatory allegations against the SAN.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Babalola’s lawyers—Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi—said charging Farotimi to court by the police was for the law to take its due course on the matter.
Ajayi said the press conference was to correct the misleading publications about the ongoing matter between the police and Farotimi.
“All facts are verifiable. I urge Nigerians to verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” he said.
“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for these false utterances against him? Should justice only be available to Mr. Dele Farotimi because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon?
“Once Mr. Dele Farotimi can show proof that his assertions in the book are true, then he will be free.
“The law allows free speech, but not one that is calculated to injure the good reputation of another.”