Embattled human rights lawyer cum activist, Dele Farotimi, has reaffirmed his integrity and dedication to truth in his advocacy work.
Farotimi was released from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre on Tuesday morning after fulfilling his bail conditions.
Farotimi’s release follows a ruling by a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti last Friday, which set his bail at ₦30 million with two sureties.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun stipulated that the sureties must be responsible citizens, with one owning property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, Farotimi was required to submit his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews while his trial is ongoing.
Addressing his supporters after his release, Farotimi said, “In my public advocacy and in my fight and wars against the evil empire that we all live in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will simply say I don’t know.”
Farotimi emphasized that truth remains the most effective tool for achieving meaningful change in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition by Emmanuel Chambers, the law firm of legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola SAN, seeking the revocation of the law practising license of controversial lawyer and author Tomilola Titus Farotimi, popularly known as Dele Farotimi.
The petition, submitted by Mr. Ola Faro, a lawyer at Emmanuel Chambers, accused Farotimi of criminal defamation and professional misconduct stemming from statements made in his book, Nigeria and the Criminal Justice System.
The book reportedly made claims about corruption, bribery, and unethical practices within Nigeria’s judiciary and legal profession, specifically referencing Supreme Court case SC/146/2006 involving Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye and others.
The petition alleged that Farotimi distorted case facts, disrespected legal practitioners, and interfered with justice for personal gain.
Emmanuel Chambers argued that these actions violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023 and demanded that Farotimi’s name be struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners.
In its ruling (B8B/LPDC/1571/2024), the LPDC stated that the allegations pertained to Farotimi’s role as an author rather than his capacity as a legal practitioner.