Lawyer and author Dele Farotimi said on Tuesday that he has never lied on anyone.
Mr Farotimi stated this after his release from a correctional facility in Ekiti State after meeting stringent bail conditions.
Farotimi’s release on Tuesday followed his detention over charges of defamation and cyberbullying filed by senior lawyer Afe Babalola.
The Ekiti State Magistrate Court granted him bail last Friday, setting conditions that included a ₦30 million bond, two sureties (one being a property owner), the surrender of his passport and a prohibition against granting media interviews.
Upon his release, Farotimi addressed journalists, maintaining his innocence and reiterating his commitment to truth. “It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil, but some years back, before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria, which is the truth. In my war against the evil empire that we all lived in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know,” he stated.
Farotimi’s legal troubles began following the July release of his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, in which he alleged corruption within the judiciary, including accusations against Babalola and other senior advocates of Nigeria. Babalola filed a defamation petition against him, leading to his arrest in Lagos by policemen attached to the Ekiti State Police Command on December 3.
In addition to the defamation charges initially filed by Babalola’s team, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun brought 12 additional charges against Farotimi at a Federal High Court in Ekiti. These charges also centre on allegations of defamation and cyberbullying.
