Afe Babalola: Farotimi Breaks Down In Tears As He Dedicates His Release From Prison To Nigerians (Video)



Dele Farotimi, the Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, has publicly addressed the nation for the first time following his release from prison. Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos and charged before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court for allegedly defaming prominent legal figure Afe Babalola in his book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’. The charges led to his remand in prison on December 4, 2024.


On December 6, the Nigerian police filed an additional 12-count charge against Farotimi. However, after a period of legal proceedings, on December 20, the court granted him bail set at ₦30 million, with additional conditions including the surrender of his international passport and a restriction on granting media interviews until the case is resolved.


Despite the court's media restrictions, a video of Farotimi surfaced on social media on December 29, 2024, in which he expressed his gratitude to the public for their collective effort in securing his release. In the emotional video, Farotimi dedicated his freedom to the Nigerian people, acknowledging the support he received from across various segments of society. He reflected on the unity that transcended ethnic and religious lines, stating, “We stopped being human because we became Nigerians. They divided us and we fell for it. Because you wouldn’t see me as a Yoruba man, you spoke for me. Because you wouldn’t see me as a Christian you spoke for me. Because you spoke, Nigeria couldn’t happen to me. The only reason Nigeria couldn’t happen to me is because you spoke. You found your voices, I became you. And in our collective, you couldn’t be silent.”


Farotimi’s release and his subsequent message have stirred conversations around human rights, freedom of speech, and the role of public advocacy in challenging political and legal power in Nigeria.


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