Defamation Drama: Police Slam Activist Lawyer Dele Farotimi with Fresh Cybercrime Charges Over Afe Babalola Allegations

By Achimi Muktar

Activist lawyer and author Dele Farotimi is facing fresh legal trouble as the Nigerian police file new cybercrime charges against him, escalating a high-profile defamation case involving Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

The fresh charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, come just days after Mr. Farotimi’s initial arraignment at a chief magistrate’s court over allegations of criminal defamation stemming from his controversial book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

A Storm of Allegations

The case began when Mr. Babalola filed a petition alleging that Mr. Farotimi defamed him in 31 excerpts from the book, accusing the revered lawyer of corrupting the Nigerian Supreme Court to secure fraudulent judgments for his clients. The police responded with 16 counts of criminal defamation against Mr. Farotimi, who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday.

However, the controversy took a new turn on Friday, when the police filed an additional 12 charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015. These charges focus on comments Mr. Farotimi made during online interviews and podcasts, where he reiterated the explosive claims from his book.

The Fresh Cybercrime Charges

The new charges accuse Mr. Farotimi of knowingly transmitting false information with the intent to cause public unrest. One count states that in an August interview on the Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye, Mr. Farotimi declared that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary.”

Another charge alleges that he transmitted these statements with the intent to harass and bully Mr. Babalola, an offence punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act.

In yet another count, the charges cite a December 2 press conference where Mr. Farotimi publicly acknowledged the defamation charges, adding that the case was brought against him “at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola.”

Courtroom Drama and Next Steps

The magistrate overseeing the original case, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered Mr. Farotimi’s remand at the Ado Ekiti correctional centre pending a formal bail application. The next hearing for the defamation case is scheduled for December 10.

While the fresh cybercrime charges add a new layer of complexity, it remains unclear whether the police will pursue both cases simultaneously or drop one in favor of the other.

What Lies Ahead?

The escalation has sparked widespread attention, with legal observers questioning whether the charges represent an attempt to suppress dissent or enforce accountability.

For now, Mr. Farotimi faces an uphill battle as he juggles legal challenges on two fronts—one rooted in defamation law and the other in cybercrime legislation. As the trials unfold, the case promises to test the boundaries of free speech, accountability, and the judicial system in Nigeria.