Peter Obi visits Afe Babalola, pleads for Dele Farotimi
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), visited Nigerian legal luminary, Afe Babalola, SAN, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, to plead for detained human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and taken to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by the Ekiti State Police Command over a petition by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stating that he defamed the SAN in a book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
However, Obi pleaded with Babalola to reconsider on Farotimi, who has been granted a N50 million bail, with a surety of the same amount, on Monday by an Ekiti State High Court.
Babalola, who has faced a barrage of criticism by some Nigerians, especially on social media since the arrest of Farotimi by the police, received Obi at his Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
Obi was employing mediation approach between the two lawyers, aside from the court process which already on going.
A social activist, Moses Paul, posted pictures and images of Obi’s visit to Ado-Ekiti on X and wrote: “Today, Mr. @PeterObi traveled from Lagos to Ekiti State, dedicating the entire day to meaningful engagements.
“He visited Aare Afe Babalola at his office within the Afe Babalola University, where they had in-depth discussions on critical issues, including the situation of activists and lawyer @DeleFarotimi.
“Following this, Mr. @PeterObi proceeded to the prison facility where @DeleFarotimi is being held.
“In a private meeting, he expressed solidarity and engaged in a candid exchange aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges.”
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and taken to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by the Ekiti State Police Command over a petition by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Farotimi was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court, which ordered his detention till December 10, 2024.
Later, his case was transferred to the High Court in the state upon fresh allegations.
Babalola accused Farotimi of defaming him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
The arrest was attended with outrage across the country, prompting civil society organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association to call for the activist’s release.