The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has expressed strong opposition to the remand of civil rights activist Dele Farotimi for a bailable offence, describing it as a violation of his constitutionally guaranteed rights.
Farotimi was arrested by the Ekiti State Police and arraigned in Ado Ekiti on charges of defamation stemming from his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, which alleges that prominent lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) compromised the Supreme Court.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice, Afenifere criticized the Magistrate Court’s decision to deny Farotimi bail, despite his not guilty plea to the 16-count charge.
The remand order disregards democratic principles and justice, especially for a bailable offence like defamation.
The trial venue, Ado Ekiti, was arbitrarily chosen, citing as justification that the book was read “all over the world, including Ado Ekiti.”
Afenifere stated:
“This reasoning is laughable and reflects an undue influence or incompetence in the judicial process. The judiciary, which is the subject of Farotimi’s book, risks putting itself on trial before the world through this insensitive decision.”
Citing the Supreme Court decision in Aviomoh v Commissioner of Police (2022) 4 NWLR (Pt 1819) 69, Afenifere asserted:
“Punishing defamation with criminal conviction and imprisonment is excessive and disproportionate when civil law provides sufficient remedies for aggrieved parties.”
Afenifere emphasized that Farotimi, a legal practitioner with 25 years of experience, is presumed innocent under the Nigerian Constitution. The group called for his immediate release on bail and urged that the matter be handled in Lagos, where the book was authored and published.
“This is not the first time Farotimi and the petitioner have faced legal battles over professional issues, which appear to have now been documented in a book,” the group noted.
Afenifere warned the police and judiciary against overstepping constitutional boundaries, stating:
“Rather than engaging in persecution, the police should allow the civil courts to resolve the matter. Justice must not only be served but seen to be done.”
The group concluded by urging the authorities to respect due process and ensure Farotimi’s rights are upheld in line with the principles of democracy.
Leave a Reply