By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Dele Farotimi, a Nigerian activist and lawyer, is still weighing his options after being incarcerated for 21 days and facing ongoing legal battles.
Speaking on The Duke Rants podcast published to YouTube on Saturday, Farotimi is considering taking action against those responsible for his unlawful arrest and detention, despite the withdrawal of criminal charges against him.
He said, “Like a good Yoruba boy, I’ll give him his salutations. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m still considering my options as regards what to do about what I went through.”
Farotimi’s troubles began when Afe Babalola, a prominent lawyer, petitioned the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, alleging that Farotimi had defamed him in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” Farotimi was subsequently arrested and arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court for alleged criminal defamation and before the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged cyber-bullying.
However, Babalola later withdrew his petition after interventions by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other traditional rulers. Despite this, Farotimi still faces four separate lawsuits filed by members of Babalola’s law office across different states.
Farotimi has defended his book, stating that it was based on research and personal experience rather than falsehoods.
In a new development, Dele Farotimi is now putting into consideration the option of a lawsuit, emphasizing that his book was not intended as a personal attack on Babalola or any individual but was a critique of systemic corruption within the judiciary.
The case has sparked concerns about the state of Nigeria’s legal system and the ability of individuals to speak out against corruption without fear of retribution.
As Farotimi considers his next steps, many are watching to see how the situation will unfold.
