The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has challenged human rights activist Dele Farotimi to substantiate the allegations he made against him. Farotimi, who was recently remanded by an Ekiti Magistrate Court, had accused Babalola of corrupting Nigeria’s judicial system in a book he authored.

Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Babalola, represented by the head of his legal team, Owoseni Ajayi, emphasised the importance of verifying claims before endorsing them. Ajayi urged Nigerians to remain impartial and investigate the facts surrounding the matter.

“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for the false accusations made against him? Should justice be denied to him simply because he is a global icon? If Mr. Dele Farotimi can provide evidence supporting his claims, he will be set free,” Ajayi asserted.

He further noted, “While free speech is a right, the law does not permit speech intended to harm another’s reputation.” He encouraged Nigerians to verify the facts before taking sides, reiterating, “All facts are verifiable.”

Farotimi’s arrest on Tuesday sparked nationwide attention. According to prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the activist was detained in Lagos on allegations of criminal libel.

“I can confirm that Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested today in Lagos for alleged criminal libel,” Falana said in a statement, demanding Farotimi’s immediate release from what he described as unlawful detention.

Hours before his arrest, Farotimi had taken to social media to allege that certain individuals were attempting to silence him. In a Facebook post, he disclosed, “At the station, I was presented with a petition by a lawyer accusing me of defamation. Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content.”

On Wednesday, Farotimi was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges against him. The presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered his remand and adjourned the case to 10 December 2024.

The incident has ignited widespread debates across the country. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrest and the alleged invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, calling for his immediate release.

“The NBA unequivocally condemns the invasion of Mr. Farotimi’s law firm, the harassment of its staff, and the unlawful seizure of their phones. Such actions violate the constitutional rights to dignity and privacy and undermine the independence of the legal profession,” NBA President Afam Osigwe said in a statement.

The NBA further demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, insisting that the findings be made public and that those responsible be held accountable.