Human rights attorney and advocate, Dele Farotimi, has been placed in custody for allegedly defaming a distinguished legal scholar and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.
It was previously reported that Farotimi was brought before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday.
Dele Farotimi entered a plea of not guilty to all sixteen charges brought against him.
The prosecuting officer, Samson Osun, requested that the defendant be held in custody pending further investigations and their outcomes to ensure national security.
The defendant’s counsel, Dayo Akeredolu, contested this request, urging the court to grant bail under generous conditions and on self-recognizance.
He asserted that the matter is bailable and that the defendant is a prominent individual who poses no threat to public safety.
He emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Nevertheless, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the proceedings until December 10.
