Farotimi: Police Allege Witness Intimidation, Oppose Bail Application
The legal troubles of lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi continued on Tuesday as the Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti remanded him in custody after the police opposed his bail application. The magistrate adjourned the case until December 20 to decide on the bail request, following strong resistance from the police.
Farotimi is facing charges brought by the police for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola in his book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The police allege that Farotimi has been intimidating witnesses in the case.
Farotimi was arrested last Tuesday in Lagos State and transported to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned the following day. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his initial oral bail application was rejected by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, who insisted on a formal written application.
Defence Arguments for Bail
At the resumed hearing, Farotimi’s counsel, Taiwo Adedeji, argued that the alleged offence was bailable and that his client should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. He emphasized Farotimi’s unblemished 25-year record as a lawyer, his fixed address, and his willingness to appear in court whenever required.
“The defendant is a lawyer with a fixed address and a name on the roll of legal practitioners of the Supreme Court,” Adedeji stated. “He has undertaken to make himself available whenever needed.”
Adedeji urged the court to disregard the claims in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and grant his client bail.
Prosecution’s Opposition
However, the police prosecutor, Samson Osodu, vehemently opposed the application, arguing that Farotimi could jump bail and has been intimidating witnesses and complainants via social media. Osodu also alleged that Farotimi had expressed a lack of faith in the judicial system and described the defence’s affidavit as incompetent because it was deposed to by a litigation clerk.
Osodu further opposed the appearance of Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika as part of Farotimi’s defence team.
Adjournment and Public Reaction
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Adeosun adjourned the ruling on the bail application until December 20. Farotimi remains in custody pending the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, a planned protest by the Take It Back Movement at the Ekiti State Police Command Headquarters failed to materialize. Community leader Chief Michael Osaloni and the Police Public Relations Officer for Ekiti State, Sunday Abutu, had issued strong warnings against any protests. Abutu reiterated that the state remained peaceful and cautioned against any unlawful demonstrations.
Sowore and Obi’s Reactions
Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, criticized the court’s handling of the case and the continued detention of Farotimi. Taking to his X handle, Sowore wrote, “The ruling on @delefarotimi’s bail application was today adjourned till December 20. @DeleFarotimi has been sent back to prison for the next 10 days. See what begging has done? #FreeDeleFarotimiNow.”
Sowore also condemned Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s recent visit to Afe Babalola in Ado Ekiti to plead for Farotimi’s case, calling it an unjust approach to the activist’s detention.
Conclusion
The case has drawn significant public attention, with supporters calling for Farotimi’s release and critics questioning the police’s motives. The adjournment to December 20 prolongs the legal and emotional ordeal for the activist, his family, and his supporters.