Kehinde Fajobi
Human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, has firmly stated that he has never lied against anyone, following his release from the Ekiti State correctional facility.
Farotimi, who was granted bail after meeting the conditions set by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, addressed the media on Tuesday morning, asserting that truth has always been his guiding principle in his fight for justice.
The court had granted him bail last Friday, imposing conditions that included a ₦30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own property), the submission of his passport, and a prohibition from granting media interviews upon release.
Addressing journalists shortly after his release, Farotimi defended his commitment to speaking the truth.
He said, “It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil, but some years back, before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria, which is the truth.
“In my war against the evil empire that we all lived in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know.”
The case stems from the publication of Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, released on July 2. The 116-page book led to a defamation claim by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, who alleged that Farotimi accused him and other SANs of corrupting Supreme Court justices.
Farotimi was arrested on December 3 by police officers attached to the Ekiti State Police Command at his Lagos office and transported to Ekiti State.
In addition to the initial defamation charges filed by Babalola’s team at the magistrate court, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun brought 12 more charges against Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6.
Recall that Farotimi faces allegations of defamation and cyberbullying, all linked to his book.