NIGPOST NEWS
December 17, 2024
I Didn’t Send Anyone to Beg Afe Babalola – Dele Farotimi
Associates Demand Activist’s Release Over “Unfair Detention”
By NIGPOST Correspondent
LAGOS — Detained human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has strongly denied sending anyone to plead with respected elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, who has taken him to court over allegations of defamation.
His statement comes amid rumors and rising tension following a recent visit by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Afe Babalola and also to Farotimi himself. Farotimi’s associates are now demanding his immediate release, calling his arrest unjust and a violation of his rights.
“I Would Never Beg Anyone” — Farotimi Speaks
Farotimi, who is currently on trial in Ekiti State due to claims in his book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”, spoke through his lawyer, Tope Temokun, during a prison visit in Ado-Ekiti. He made it clear that he neither asked Peter Obi nor anyone else to beg Afe Babalola on his behalf.
Temokun shared details of the conversation:
> “I visited Mr. Dele Farotimi at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre. Recently, Peter Obi visited both Afe Babalola and Mr. Farotimi, and this sparked all sorts of confusion. Some people assumed the visits had something to do with an apology or a settlement.
> “So I sat with Dele to get clarity. I asked him, ‘Did you send anyone to beg? Did you authorize Peter Obi’s visit on your behalf? What message do you want me to take to the public?’
> “Farotimi’s response was firm. He said, ‘If anyone knows my principles and what I stand for, they would know I’d never ask anyone to beg on my behalf. I am disappointed that such rumors are even being believed. I stand by my words, my book, and my truth.’”
Farotimi also cautioned against misinterpreting his integrity, emphasizing that he is ready to defend himself through the legal process.
“This is a Test of Justice” — Associates Speak Out
Farotimi’s associates have now joined the call for his immediate release. In a statement signed by Mr. Taiwo Akinlami, they criticized his detention, describing it as a clear abuse of his rights.
Their statement reads:
> “We, his friends and associates, are disturbed by the way Dele Farotimi has been treated. This is a man who has always been ready to defend himself legally. His sudden arrest and detention show a disregard for due process and justice.”
The group also expressed concern over the toll this ordeal is taking on Farotimi’s family:
> “Dele’s detention is hurting those who love him. His 76-year-old mother has already suffered the loss of a child, and now she has to endure this emotional trauma again. It’s unfair.”
A Call for Action
The associates demanded that the authorities release Farotimi on bail and investigate the “irregularities” in his arrest. They further urged Nigerians to pay attention to the case as a test of the justice system’s fairness and integrity.
Akinlami emphasized:
> “This is more than just about Dele Farotimi. It’s about justice. If we let these actions go unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent for all of us. We call on the authorities to do what’s right: release him, ensure fairness, and let the law take its proper course.”
The Bigger Picture
Farotimi’s case has stirred public discourse around freedom of expression, judicial integrity, and human rights in Nigeria. As his trial continues, his supporters are holding firm, determined to see justice served.
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