The Nigeria Police have filed an additional 12-count charge against detained human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The fresh charges were presented before a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday.
Farotimi, who was arrested by officers of the Ekiti Police Command on Tuesday, is accused of defaming the character of prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola.
The charges stem from allegations made in Farotimi’s recently published book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. In the book, Farotimi claimed that Babalola corrupted the judiciary and manipulated Supreme Court judgments.
The lawyer pleaded not guilty to the initial 16-count charge, and Justice Abayomi Adeosun remanded him in prison custody, with his case adjourned until December 10.
In the new charges filed on Friday, the police accuse Farotimi of making defamatory statements during an appearance on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, where he allegedly continued to malign Babalola, citing content from his book.
Additionally, Farotimi faces charges for publicly discussing legal actions taken against him at a press conference on December 2, 2024, prior to his arrest.