Afe Babalola Demands Evidence from Farotimi Over Allegations

Published

1 year ago

December 7, 2024

Renowned lawyer Afe Babalola challenges Dele Farotimi to substantiate his allegations, urging him to present credible evidence. Discover the unfolding legal exchange.

Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), stated that human rights activist Dele Farotimi will be released from prison if he successfully proves his innocence against the charges brought by an Ekiti magistrate court.

In his book, Farotimi accused Afe Babalola of corrupting the nation’s judiciary system.

Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola, through the head of his legal team Owoseni Ajayi, encouraged Nigerians to seek out the truth before supporting Farotimi.

“Is it inappropriate for Aare Afe Babalola to pursue justice regarding these false statements made about him? Should only Mr. Dele Farotimi have access to justice simply because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon? If Mr. Dele Farotimi can provide evidence supporting his claims in the book, he will be vindicated,” stated Owoseni.

“Until that time, the law permits free speech, though it does not extend to expressions designed to harm another’s good reputation.”

He urged Nigerians to “verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” emphasizing that “all facts are verifiable.”

On Tuesday, news of Farotimi’s arrest captured nationwide attention. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana stated that the activist was apprehended in Lagos State on suspicions of criminal libel.

He stated on Tuesday that he had confirmed Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel and called for “Farotimi’s unconditional release from illegal custody.”

The arrest occurred just hours after Farotimi alleged that certain unidentified individuals were attempting to silence him. He took to social media to express his concerns about the situation.

“In a Facebook post, he mentioned that at the station, a lawyer handed him a petition accusing him of defamation. He noted that even though he found the petition to be without merit, he still addressed its content.”

On Wednesday, Farotimi was arraigned by the police and pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges brought against him.

In his decision, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered the author’s detention and postponed proceedings until December 10, 2024.

His arrest has sparked discussions both nationally and internationally. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is among those advocating for the release of the human rights lawyer.

In a statement by its president, Afam Osigwe, the NBA strongly denounces the invasion of Mr. Farotimi’s law firm and condemns both the harassment of its lawyers and staff as well as their illegal seizure of phones. These actions violate constitutional rights to dignity and privacy while also undermining the autonomy of legal professionals.

We urgently call for the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, as his arrest has no legal basis under Lagos State laws. The authorities should promptly initiate an investigation into the intrusion at his law firm, ensure transparency by making their findings public, and hold those responsible accountable.

Chaos As Military Officers Exchange Blows During Tinubu’s Visit To Bayelsa (Videos)

Published

3 days ago

April 12, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Personnel of the Nigerian military were seen engaging in a fight during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bayelsa on Friday.

In a video spotted on social media, the driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” was seen stepping down from his vehicle and exchanging words with another driver.

After returning to his vehicle, another driver with a rifle approached him and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver, triggering a brawl.

The incident quickly escalated into a free-for-all, with personnel attached to both vehicles exchanging blows, while stunned civilians watched in disbelief.

HRH Ekwueme of Ochia Kingdom Iynched & kiIIed in Imo.

Published

3 days ago

April 11, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia, Barr Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week.

Some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead. Eyewitness said the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.

Hrm lives in America, but some in his town accuse him of acquiring lots of wealth coming from the oil in their land and yet they have no nepa (light) and other amenities, and that this angered the youths of his community to take this step. One said Ms Duruaku wrote, “he ate the youth empowerment meant given to him by shell oil company and ran abroad for years”

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Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

Published

1 week ago

April 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.