Human rights lawyer cum activist, Dele Farotimi, arrived at the Ekiti Magistrate Court on Friday morning amidst a heavy presence of police officers and other law enforcement agents.
Naija News learnt that the court premises were fortified with tight security as the much-anticipated hearing involving Farotimi is set to commence.
It would be recalled that a petition filed by a prominent lawyer and Senior Advocate in Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), prompted Farotimi’s arrest.
Meanwhile, the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has urged the Nigerian police to redeem their integrity by promptly ending the prosecution of Farotimi.
The deputy leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, made this demand while addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.
He argued that Farotimi’s arrest is not supported by the law and described his prosecution as unjust.
Olaitan recounted the events leading to Farotimi’s arrest and alleged that the prolonged delay in granting bail reinforced suspicions that external influences, rather than legal considerations, were driving the case.
“The delay in granting bail has confirmed fears that this process is being driven by extraneous factors outside the law and facts of the case.
“While the onus of proof is on the prosecution, and Farotimi remains presumed innocent by law, Afenifere calls on the police to end this unjust prosecution,” he said.
Afenifere also condemned the circumstances surrounding Farotimi’s arrest, describing it as an “abduction.”
Olaitan pointed out that Farotimi’s arrest was neither logged nor booked at any police station in Lagos, where the arrest occurred.
