“I never lied, truth is my weapon against injustice” – Dele Farotimi declares after release

Dele Farotimi, activist lawyer and author of the controversial book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, has doubled down on allegations he made against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, maintaining that his claims are truthful.

Farotimi, who addressed journalists on Tuesday following his release from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre, stated, “I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know. The truth is enough—it is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria.”

Farotimi was granted bail by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, December 20, with conditions including a bond of ₦30 million, two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, submission of his passport and a prohibition on granting media interviews once released.

He met the conditions and was subsequently freed from detention, where he had been held since his arrest earlier this month over allegations of defamation against Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

Farotimi was arrested over statements in his book, which accused Babalola of unethical practices within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Despite being accused of defamation, the lawyer insists his claims are based on facts.

“I understand the challenges that come with fighting entrenched powers, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to the truth,” Farotimi stated.