Afe Babalola: Police Add 12 New Charges Against Dele Farotimi
The police have pressed fresh charges of criminal defamation against activist Dele Farotimi, accusing him of using an online press conference to discuss a supposed plot to arrest him.
On December 2, 2024, Farotimi held a YouTube briefing where he claimed that a scheme to imprison him was underway. The police allege that this press conference amounted to an attempt to harass and defame Afe Babalola, a respected nonagenarian lawyer who had been instrumental in Farotimi’s arrest on Tuesday. Farotimi was subsequently remanded in prison after an initial court appearance on Wednesday.
These new charges represent an intensification of a case that has already sparked considerable controversy, particularly within legal circles. The affair has drawn attention to the perception that Babalola, a senior figure with vast political and business influence, may be overstepping bounds, with many viewing his actions as detrimental to his legacy—especially in terms of restricting free speech.
In his press briefing, Farotimi accused Babalola of targeting him due to his recently released book, published in July 2024, which detailed allegations against the lawyer. Farotimi’s book claims that Babalola has been involved in judicial corruption and influence-peddling over several decades. Babalola has strongly denied all accusations of bribing judges or engaging in any corrupt activities.
However, the police’s involvement has been particularly controversial, as many Nigerians view the use of state power to suppress criticism as deeply troubling. The public outcry, both within Nigeria and internationally, has grown since Babalola, aged 95, pressed for the police to act against Farotimi. Critics argue that this move is an abuse of power, particularly in light of the historical use of law enforcement to target dissenting voices.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and quickly transported to Ekiti, where the police filed 16 charges of criminal defamation against him in court on Wednesday. The case was adjourned, and a bail hearing is scheduled for December 6.
In a further development, police sources provided court documents to News360 Nigeria on Friday, revealing an additional 12 charges against Farotimi. These new charges relate to statements he made on a podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, as well as comments on his own YouTube channel, in which he allegedly disparaged Babalola.
The criminal complaint, titled FHC/AD/CR/104/2024, was officially addressed to Farotimi, but it remains unclear whether he had been formally served with the new charges as of Friday afternoon.
