A chief magistrates’ court in Ado-Ekiti has adjourned the bail ruling for Dele Farotimi to 20 December.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun reserved his decision on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in custody.
During the proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge brought against him by the police.
Farotimi’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the charges.
He argued that the charges were not recognised under the law, as defamation is not an offence under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi is facing prosecution at the magistrates’ court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, over allegations of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola.
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.
Among those advocating for his release is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the detention of the human rights lawyer, stating that he is being held for speaking truth to power.
In a post on X to mark International Human Rights Day, Abubakar described the arrest as a stark example of the widespread impunity and rights violations in the country.
“Dele Farotimi now languishes in prison custody, not for any crime but for the supposed ‘crime’ of persistently speaking truth to power,” the statement read.
“His only offence lies in his unwavering commitment to exposing truths that the government and its allies would prefer to keep hidden,” Atiku stated.
He criticised the circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s detention, pointing out that the activist is being prosecuted under a cyberbullying law that does not exist in Ekiti State.
Similarly, Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, criticised Farotimi’s arrest.
Writing on his X handle, Sowore stated: “It is imperative that the Nigerian police are reminded that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal disputes, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, will no longer tolerate such actions.
“The police at Zone 2 in Lagos are therefore urged to release Barrister Dele Farotimi immediately.”
Additionally, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the arrest, describing it as unlawful.