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Defamation: The truth is always enough, Farotimi says after release

By Kareem Azeez
24 December 2024   |   12:52 pm
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, on Tuesday, posted a cryptic message on his 'X' handle less than an hour after his release from Ekiti prison. The lawyer, who was arrested earlier in the month and is currently facing a 14-count charge, one of which is allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and…
Farotimi after his release from Ekiti Prison

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, on Tuesday, posted a cryptic message on his ‘X’ handle less than an hour after his release from Ekiti prison.

The lawyer, who was arrested earlier in the month and is currently facing a 14-count charge, one of which is allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), was released from prison custody in Ekiti State on Tuesday after meeting his bail conditions.

Taking to his handle, the embattled lawyer posted an image of renowned African-American writer and civil rights activist, James Baldwin. On the Baldwin’s image was inscribed the quote: “The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim: he or she has become a threat.”

Farotimi captioned the image, “The truth is always enough.”

The Guardian reports that Farotimi was granted bail by an Ekiti State Magistrate Court on December 20 by the presiding Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun.

Adeosun, in his ruling, stated that the suspect could not remain in prison custody. He therefore granted the defendant bail with a N30 million bond and two sureties.

READ ALSO:Farotimi released from detention 

His bail conditions included depositing his international passport with the court registry and being prohibited from travelling outside the country without the court’s permission. The court also restrained him from granting media interviews, whether electronic or print, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Upon his release on Tuesday, Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), quickly made the announcement on his ‘X’ handle.

‘I am pleased to report that @DeleFarotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti state and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues! Happy holidays to you all!’ Sowore wrote.

Addressing his fans after his release, Farotimi said he had never had any cause to lie against anyone in his life, adding that whatever he had said about someone or an institution was true.

“In my public advocacy, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know,” he said.

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