I’ve Never Lied Against Anyone, Says Farotimi After Release
Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, recently released from detention, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to truth, stating that he has never lied against anyone throughout his advocacy work.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday after his release from a correctional facility in Ekiti State, Farotimi emphasized the role of truth in his fight against systemic injustice in Nigeria.
“Fighting evil is never an easy journey,” he said. “Years ago, before I embarked on this path, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria. In my war against the evil empire that we all live in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know.”
Farotimi regained his freedom after meeting stringent bail conditions set by an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, which included a ₦30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must be a property owner), surrendering his international passport, and a prohibition on granting media interviews.
Legal Battle
Farotimi’s legal troubles began with the release of his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, on July 2, 2024. The 116-page publication accused prominent legal practitioners, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Aare Afe Babalola, of corrupting Supreme Court justices.
The allegations led Babalola to file a defamation petition, resulting in Farotimi’s arrest on December 3, 2024, in Lagos by the Ekiti State Police Command. Critics described the arrest as a “Gestapo-like operation.” He was transported to Ekiti State for prosecution amidst widespread condemnation from civil rights groups and legal practitioners.
In addition to defamation charges, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed 12 additional charges, including cyberbullying, against Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6.
Public Outcry
Farotimi’s arrest and detention sparked public outrage, with many decrying the charges as an attack on freedom of expression and the right to critique powerful figures. Civil rights groups and activists criticized what they saw as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Despite the challenges, Farotimi remained resolute in his belief in the power of truth.
“I have no regrets and no reason to lie against anyone,” he said. “The truth is my only defense in exposing the injustices we face as a nation.”
Farotimi’s release allows him to spend Christmas with his family, marking a moment of reprieve amid his ongoing legal battles.
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