The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere, has called on Nigerians to allow the judiciary to handle the criminal defamation case against legal practitioner Dele Farotimi impartially.
According to reports, the charges were filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following a complaint from Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and esteemed elder statesman.
Babalola alleges that Farotimi’s 104-page book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice, contains defamatory content.
The book, which has garnered international attention, is reportedly available in Ekiti State, where Babalola resides, allegedly damaging his reputation.
Farotimi, a prominent Nigerian activist, was arrested in Lagos last week and transferred to Ekiti State. He appeared before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday, where Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun denied his bail application and ordered his detention until December 10.
In response, groups across Nigeria have planned large-scale protests on December 10 in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and Ekiti State, demanding Farotimi’s release.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, emphasized that the legal system is equipped to ensure fair adjudication and protect the interests of all parties involved.
“The court is the proper platform for determining and protecting the rights of individuals while ensuring justice is served fairly,” Ajayi stated.
He urged all parties to avoid actions or statements that could disrupt public order and called on the government to uphold the rule of law. Afenifere reaffirmed that the judiciary, as established by the Nigerian constitution, remains the rightful avenue for resolving disputes and seeking redress.
“We enjoin all parties to conduct themselves in total submission to and respect for the rule of law,” the spokesman added.
