Heavily armed Nigerian policemen have taken control of the Lagos State Magodo Estate, housing the chambers of renowned legal luminary Afe Babalola, in anticipation of protests demanding the freedom of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi was whisked away by the Nigerian police under Afe Babalola’s directive, transported from Lagos to Ekiti State, and charged with defamation.
The protests, supported by Nigerian human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, aim to secure Farotimi’s immediate release after he was remanded in custody and faced a N50 million fine at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.
In response to the #FreeDeleFarotimiNow protest, heavily armed police operatives have been stationed at Afe Babalola’s law firm in Lagos.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi a N50 million bail on Monday, but the protests continue, highlighting concerns over judicial overreach and the protection of human rights.
Afe Babalola & Co. has maintained that media tactics and street yelling won’t stop Farotimi’s prosecution, emphasizing its commitment to defending its name through legal means.
