The Nigerian police have filed 12 new charges against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over alleged involvement in cybercrime.
This was contained in a document sighted by NPO Reports on Friday.
The charges were presented to the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Friday.
NPO Reports that the new 12 count charge allege that Farotimi made made defamatory and false claims against the senior lawyer during an online interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye on his YouTube channel on August 28, 2024 with intent to cause break down of law and order.
In the interview, Farotimi discussed his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, and made claims that Aare Afe Babalola had “corrupted the judiciary.”
“That you Dele Farotimi “m’ on 28° August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your Youtube Channel in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System™ wherein you stated in the interview that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary” with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”
The police allege that these statements were knowingly false and intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, which is prohibited under the Cybercrimes Act.
NPO reports that there are pending charges filed against the activist by prominent lawyer Afe Babalola, SAN, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
Recall that the human rights activist was arrested on Tuesday and was then taken to Ado Ekiti on orders of senior lawyer, Afe Babalola SAN.