Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights advocate, has vowed to remain resolute as he faces trial on multiple charges of alleged defamation.
Farotimi, who was released on December 24 after meeting bail conditions, is accused of defaming Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), through statements in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The activist was arraigned on a 14-count charge of defamation and cybercrime but pleaded not guilty to all allegations. He is currently facing trial in two courts, with the inspector-general of police filing a separate 12-count charge against him at the Federal High Court in Ekiti.
Earlier this month, the court granted him bail set at ₦50 million, along with a requirement for one surety.
Farotimi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to reaffirm his determination and reject intimidation. In a cryptic post, he wrote, “Tomorrow will be ‘when we kill him.’ They then use rumours to ruin him. A god that the god of thunder cannot kill. Is the power of the god of thunder not enough to destroy? I face no fears. I have none.”
The allegations stem from claims that Farotimi “criminally defamed” Babalola in his critique of Nigeria’s justice system. Farotimi’s supporters have decried the charges as an attempt to silence dissent, while he remains steadfast in his advocacy for justice and free speech.
The trial is ongoing, with both sides awaiting further developments in the case.