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Dele Farotimi
Born
Oladele Farotimi

(1968-04-27) 27 April 1968 (age 56)
Nigeria
EducationLagos State University
Occupations
Years active1999–present
Organization(RAMINBA)
Notable workNigeria and Its Criminal Justice System
Political partyLabour Party (2019–present
Websitewww.delefarotimi.com

Dele Farotimi (Listenⓘ)(born 27 April 1968), is a Nigerian lawyer, author, and political activist known for his outspoken advocacy for justice, good governance, and systemic reforms in Nigeria. He has gained prominence for his writings, public speeches, and media appearances, critiquing Nigeria's political structure and societal challenges.[1] Dele is a member of the Citizen's Rally Against Oppression (RAMINBA).

Biography

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Dele Farotimi was born on 27 April 1968 . He completed his secondary education at Fiditi Grammar School. He later earned a law degree from Lagos State University where he graduated with an LLB. He served as President of the Student’s Union at the Lagos State University (LASU), in 1994-1995, and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1999.[2][3]

Farotimi began his legal career at Adesina Ogunlana & Co specializing in advocating for a better Nigeria. Over the years with a deep commitment to human rights and justice. He practiced law actively until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 50.[2] In addition to his legal work, Farotimi is a published author. His book, Do Not Die in Their War, addresses critical issues facing Nigeria, including corruption, governance, and the rule of law. The publication has been lauded for its candid insights and call to action for systemic change.[4]

Controversy

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Avatar of Inibehe Effiong
Avatar of Inibehe Effiong
 Inibehe Effiong
@InibeheEffiong
 X logo, a stylized letter X

Can @CorrectionsNg explain why they had to handcuff @DeleFarotimi while taking him to the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti this morning for arraignment? This is preposterous. He did not pose any threat, and did not resist being taken to court. Dele Farotimi is a political prisoner and will come out stronger.

9 December 2024

Dele Farotimi was arrested in lagos state on December 3, 2024, and extradited to Ekiti State by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.[5][6] The arrest followed allegations of defamation brought against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola.[7][8] Farotimi’s detention sparked widespread outrage, with activists, legal practitioners, and civil society organizations condemning the action as an attempt to stifle free speech and dissent.[9][10][11] In response, his supporters organized protests with the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimiNow led by Omoyele Sowore, launched social media campaigns,[12][13][14] and initiated legal actions demanding his immediate release and urging the Nigerian Government to uphold democratic principles.[15][16] Social media played a critical role in amplifying the #FreeDeleFarotimiNow campaign. The hashtag trended across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as prominent figures in the Nigerian legal and entertainment industries joined the call for his release.[12]

The protests began with physical demonstrations in major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, and Ado-Ekiti, where participants demanded Farotimi’s immediate release and the dismissal of the charges against him.[17] Protesters carried placards with messages such as "Justice for Dele" and "End the Silencing of Critics," while legal professionals organized symbolic marches in solidarity with their detained colleague.[18][19]

On 10 December 2024, Farotimi was charged to court following his arrest on allegations of defamation.[20][21] The case, filed by the Nigerian Police Force accused Farotimi of 16 counts of charges, criminal defamation, and cyberbullying.[22] Farotimi, through his legal counsel, denied the allegations and maintained that his book was a fair critique of systemic issues within Nigeria’s justice system. His defense team argued that the charges were an infringement on his constitutional right to free speech and an abuse of legal processes.[23] Ekiti State granted Dele Farotimi bail in the sum of ₦50 million, following his arraignment on charges of defamation.[24]

Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System

Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System gained significant attention following its release, with Amazon listing it as the number one bestseller worldwide in its category.[25][26] The book's critical exploration of systemic issues in Nigeria’s legal and judicial landscape resonated with readers across the globe, propelling it to the top of international bestseller charts.[27]

The release of the book was accompanied by a public dispute between Dele Farotimi and Afe Babalola, In a controversial development a court in Nigeria issued an injunction halting the further production, distribution, and sale of Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.[28][29] The decision came following a lawsuit filed by Babalola, who alleged that certain portions of the book contained defamatory statements and misrepresentations about individuals and institutions within the Nigerian criminal justice system.[30][31][32][33][34]

Assassination attempt

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On February 24, 2021, Dele Farotimi petitioned the State Security Service (SSS) and the Lagos State Police Command over threats to assassinate him by top officials in the government, in what many believe was an effort to silence his outspoken criticism of systemic corruption and governance in Nigeria.[35][36]

Authorship

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Dele Farotimi has authored several books, including:

  • ——— (2021). Do Not Die in Their War (novel). ISBN 978-1-07-265932-7
  • ——— (2024). Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System (novel). ASIN B0D8L8KSJ8

References

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  1. ^ Reporters, Our (3 December 2024). "UPDATED: Police arrest human rights lawyer Farotimi over defamation allegation". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b Jamiu, Basit (3 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi: 5 things to know about the public analyst". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  3. ^ Dele (24 June 2022). "When Will You Connect The Dot?". Dele Farotimi. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  4. ^ Egobiambu, Emmanuel (3 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi Arrested Over Alleged Criminal Libel – Falana". Channels Television. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  5. ^ Rapheal (4 December 2024). "Police arrest Dele Farotimi in Lagos, taken to Ekiti". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  6. ^ Ogunsemore, John (3 December 2024). "Police arrest activist Dele Farotimi". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  7. ^ Johnson, Hannah (10 December 2024). "VIDEO: Alleged defamation: Dele Farotimi appears at Ado-Ekiti Magistrate court". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  8. ^ "BREAKING: Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi sent to prison | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Nigerian Correctional Service Under Fire For Handcuffing Dele Farotimi During Court Appearance". saharareporters. 9 December 2024.
  10. ^ Azeez, Kareem (10 December 2024). "Farotimi: Police guard Afe Babalola chambers amid protest threat". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  11. ^ Sunday, Ochogwu (5 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi: Organization, activists plan nationwide protest against Nigerian judiciary". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b AriseNews (5 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi Jailed Till Dec 10th, Atiku, Sowore Demands #FreeDeleFarotimi - Trending With Ojy Okpe". Arise News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  13. ^ Gsong, Adejayan Gbenga (5 December 2024). "Sowore to lead protest over Dele Farotimi's detention". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  14. ^ Chibundu, Janefrances (5 December 2024). "Sowore to lead protest against judiciary over Dele Farotimi's detention". TheCable. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  15. ^ "#FreeDeleFarotimi: Sowore Slams Nigerian Judicial System That Held Farotimi In Prison, Turned Ex-Governor Yahaya Bello Into 'Hero' | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  16. ^ "FG issued 48 hour ultimatum to release Dele Farotimi | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  17. ^ Oyedokun, Taofeek (7 December 2024). "Media tactics, street yelling won't stop Dele Farotimi's prosecution - Afe Babalola firm". Businessday NG. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  18. ^ Yusuf, Ibrahim (6 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi: Matasa za su gudanar da zanga zanga a wasu jihohin Najeriya". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. (in Hausa). Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Dele Farotimi: Police warn against 'unlawful gathering' in Ekiti". Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Dele Farotimi video: Afe Babalola petition and 16 count charges against Nigerian lawyer, activist". BBC News Pidgin. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  21. ^ Ugwu, Francis (10 December 2024). "Afe Babalola: Dele Farotimi sent back to jail". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  22. ^ "More trouble for Dele Farotimi as Police file fresh 12-count cybercrime charge | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  23. ^ Adebayo, Remi (4 December 2024). "JUST-IN: Lagos Lawyer Farotimi Arraigned, Remanded In Ekiti Prison Over Alleged Defamation". Leadership News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  24. ^ Odili, Esther (9 December 2024). "Alleged defamation: Ekiti court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail, Sowore reacts". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  25. ^ AriseNews (5 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi's Book Tops Amazon Charts Amid Legal Battle Over Defamation". Arise News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  26. ^ Makinwa, Bunmi (9 December 2024). "Farotimi and best seller on Amazon: Significance and implications". TheCable. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  27. ^ Ibeh, Ebube (5 December 2024). "Amazon lists Dele Farotimi's book on Afe Babalola's corrupt influence on Nigerian judiciary as number one bestseller worldwide". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  28. ^ "#FreeDeleFarotimi: Afe Babalola Obtains Court Order To Ban Farotimi's Bestseller, Seize Royalties | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  29. ^ Times, Premium (12 December 2024). "Court orders seizure of Farotimi's book, Afe Babalola's law firm warns bookstores". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  30. ^ AriseNews (5 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi's Book Tops Amazon Charts Amid Legal Battle Over Defamation". Arise News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  31. ^ Nwafor (12 December 2024). "HURIWA condemns court order seizing Farotimi's book". Vanguard News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  32. ^ Reporter 1, T. S. J. (11 December 2024). "Court bars publication, sale of Dele Farotimi's book". The Street Journal. Retrieved 16 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ "[ICYMI] How Dele Farotimi defamed me – Afe Babalola – Punch Newspapers". Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  34. ^ Mom, Claire (5 December 2024). "Dele Farotimi's book enters Amazon bestseller list -- 48 hours after his arrest". TheCable. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  35. ^ Adediran, Ifeoluwa (24 February 2021). "Lagos lawyer, Farotimi, raises alarm over assassination threat". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  36. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (3 December 2024). "Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, alleges threat to life". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
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