The Nigeria Police Force has filed new charges against prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The latest filing, submitted to the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, includes 12 additional counts under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015.
The new charges, filed on Friday, are believed to be aimed at obstructing Farotimi’s bail application and extending his detention, according to Politics Nigeria.
This follows earlier charges filed by the police, in collaboration with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Aare Afe Babalola, regarding comments Farotimi made during an interview and at press conferences.
Among the allegations, Farotimi is accused of knowingly transmitting false information during an online interview on August 28, 2024, in which he claimed that Afe Babalola “corrupted the judiciary.”
Prosecutors argue that Farotimi’s statements were intended to cause public unrest and to intimidate or harass the senior lawyer.
Additionally, Farotimi is charged with making defamatory remarks during a podcast interview with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, based on content from his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The charges claim that his statements were designed to malign and intimidate Afe Babalola.
Farotimi is also charged with publicizing details of legal actions against him during a press conference held on December 2, 2024.
Known for his outspoken advocacy for justice and reform, Farotimi was initially arraigned earlier this week on 16 charges related to alleged cybercrime.
His legal team has argued that the charges infringe upon his constitutional rights to free speech and a fair hearing.
