I’ve never lied against anyone, says Dele Farotimi after regaining freedom

His release took place this morning.

Last Friday, an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court granted Farotimi bail under strict conditions, including a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), the submission of his passport, and a restriction on granting media interviews post-release.

However, following his release, Farotimi addressed the media, stating that he has never lied about anyone or any institution in his life.

“It is not an easy journey when fighting evil. Years ago, God revealed to me that the truth is sufficient—it is the weapon to confront the monster called Nigeria. In my fight against the oppressive system we live in, I have never lied. If I don’t know something, I admit it,” he said.

On July 2, Farotimi released a book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Months later, legal icon Afe Babalola accused him of defamation, leading to Farotimi’s arrest at his Lagos office by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command on December 3.

He was subsequently transported to Ekiti State.

Apart from the initial defamation charges filed by Babalola’s team at an Ekiti Magistrate Court, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun added 12 further charges against Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6.

Farotimi faced arraignment on charges of defamation and cyberbullying.

The allegations stem from a petition by Babalola, who claimed that Farotimi accused him and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) of influencing Supreme Court justices in his book.