Headline

Ifeanyi Ubah, Jimoh Ibrahim, Wale Babalakin Top AMCON’s List of Debtors Owning N906bn (Full List)

Published

6 years ago

October 24, 2018

Eric

The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has published the names of its top 105 debtors owing a total of N906 billion. In an advertorial published on some National dailies, the group said all avenues to reach the “deliquent” debtors have proved abortive.

“This has become necessary as all avenues provided by the corporation for the debtors to propose acceptable resolution terms have failed. Nevertheless, the corporation is still open to amicable resolution of these debts within a reasonable time, failing which it shall continue to exercise all powers as provided by law to recover the debts.” the statement read

See the list below

S/N	Obligor Name	Main Promoter(s)	Current Exposure
1	Capital Oil & Gas Industries Limited	Ifeanyi Ubah	115,952,152,265.92
2	NICON Investments Limited	Jimoh Ibrahim	59,544,633,980.31
3	Bi-Courtney Limited (MMA2)	Wale Babalakin (SAN)	40,798,422,374.02
4	Josepdam & Sons Limited	Late Mrs. Josephine Damilola KuteyiSaheed KuteyiGaniyu Kuteyi	39,056,674,951.55
5	Tinapa Business Resort	Cross River State Government	36,006,319,844.68
6	Home Trust Savings	Chukwukadibia AjaegbuFunmu Ademosun	30,626,243,344.71
7	Geometric Power Limited	Prof. Barth NnajiNnaji AgathaObibuaru Eluma Anike Paul Nwobodo Benjamin Chukwuemeka Dozie Chijioke Akpe Austine Nnaji Okechukwu UBA Trustees Limited Kunoch Limited Diamond Capital & Financial Market Limited	29,844,500,896.77
8	Roygate Properties Limited	Wale Babalakin (SAN)Agumadu JohnAlarape Olabode Okhaleke Ndudi	28,137,176,532.32
9	Shell Development Petroleum Company – West Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited (SPDC)	Shell Staff, represented by Ikponmwosa Ogiemuda	26,474,541,188.17
10	Anyiam Osigwe Limited	Anyiam-Osigwe Dorothy Chinyere	20,523,322,350.29
11	Platinum Capital	Obire RichardFrancis Atuche	20,378,820,507.19
12	Flotsome Investment Limited	Oboden IbruTejiro Ibru	20,218,703,550.96
13	Lonestar Drilling	Late Chief IdisiMargaret Idisi	20,207,979,803.22
14	Petrologistics Limited	Ugoji Egbujo	19,576,962,565.35
15	Lorna Global Resources	H.E. Chimaroke Nnamami	18,919,109,352.85
16	Hosanna Properties Limited	Anionye ChikaObi Ike C.	18,059,895,396.27
17	Minaj Holdings Limited	Ajegbo Mike NnayeluchudihuLuke Chidi ChudihuiloguMiller Gregrey Ethridge Kyle Attueyi Joe Oladele Afolabi Okpere Kisito Kokoricha Paul	17,306,900,257.66
18	Afrijet Airlines Limited	Inoelle Willam BarryCarr Collin	13,122,022,439.57
19	Petroleum Brokers Limited	Wilcox Awopuolagha	13,076,314,937.26
20	Hotel De Island; Kasmal Properties; Island Autos & Nacoil	Kashamu Prince Buruji	13,015,595,907.67
21	Zarm Stores Limited	Gbadamosi Muftau, The Olofa of Offa	12,410,560,226.18
22	Tak Continental Limited	Thomas Akoh Etuh	11,585,755,562.89
23	Netlink Digital Television	Fashewe OyewoleVarderpuije Ahmed	11,550,782,130.79
24	Mobil Workers (EKET) Multipurpose Cooperative Society	Mobil Workers, represented by Okeke Eze (legal practitioner)	11,504,121,133.06
25	DWC Drilling Limited	Etheridge KyleJohn Ayeke	11,363,388,024.05
26	Sammy Beth Interbiz Limited	H.E. Chimaroke Nnamani	11,017,336,899.00
27	Ferdinand Oil Mills	Chief Ferdinand Anyaoha Anghara	10,855,175,005.53
28	Octopus Trust Nigeria Limited	Erastus Akingbola	10,175,717,163.07
29	Avian Spec	Femi JamesFunmi Ayorinde	7,619,760.034.02
30	Brooke Investments Limited	Chief S.I. AdegbiteAdegbite Adewale MichaelAdegbite Ademola Olumide Sofela Michael Olufemi	7,341,118,227.21
31	Resource Intermediaries Limited	Soji Oyawoye (MD/CEO)Ebun BamigboyeWeyinmi Jemide Ido Ohiwere	7,282,308,754.08
32	Jummai Mahmud	Senator Joshua Dariye	6,823,110,429.13
33	Genprogetti Nigeria Limited	Nnamdi O. OkoyeCharles Umeadi	6,637,593,140.34
34	Ray Gold Silver Plus Limited	Oboden IbruTejiro Ibru	6,392,813,914.61
35	Camden Resources Limited	H.E. Chimaroke Nnamani	5,875,022,498.73
36	Riverside Logistics Limited	H.E. Chimaroke Nnamani	5,874,161,281.46
37	Robo Michael Limited	Kassabali Samir IbrahimEgirani AroboEgirani Olotu	5,837,512,139.51
38	Lexcap Partners	Albert OkumagbaChibundu Edozie	5,696,111,908.02
39	Osigwe Foods & Agro Industries	Moh’d Anselm KayodeRaji A. Usman	5,648,190,385.41
40	Rangk Limited	Kanu Godwin Ndubuisi	5,390,589,104.93
41	Afro-Arab Investment Limited	Baba-Ahmed MoufitahBaba-Ahmed Muna Beitah	5,340,204,984.21
42	Dormanlong Engineering Limited	Austen Peters	4,700,000,000.00
43	Abasa Nigeria Enterprises Limited NPK1 A	Ezuma Innocent Ozoemena	4,666,999,131.41
44	Lawal Obelawo Plastics Industries Limited (LOPIN)	Prince Lawal Olaosebikan YesufuRamota Lawal	4,361,717,794.63
45	Eres N V (Nig.) Limited	Chief Pius Akinyelure	4,171,546,113.09
46	Al-Kahf Motorcycle Company Limited	Shehu BadamasiSafiya M. Badamasi	4,067,369,214.72
47	Madunka Motorcycle Company Limited	Abdullahi A. HaidoZainab A. Haido	3,561,115,889.09
48	Terminal Zero	Obadina GbengaNiyi Oyedele	3,318,675,426.60
49	Ocean Deep Properties Limited	Ray Nduka J. OkpuRay Ufoma Okpu	3,075,367,362.75
50	Claremount Management Limited	Okobi Paul UcheAkpan Patrick	2,944,490,078,53
51	Ena-Bell Limited	Ojo Osamuede BelleOjo Osamuede Enahoro	2,910,142,971.76
52	Omega Sunshine Ventures Limited	Segun AgbetuyiTolulope O. Fadahunsi	2,763,085,587.14
53	Tuns Farm Nigeria Limited	Olatunde Adekunle BadmusJoseph Zopy	2,738,973,788.06
54	Nakem Oil & Gas Company Limited	Alebe Nathaniel UzeziAlebe O. Gift	2,718,933,557.79
55	Hyacinnth U.F. Enuha	Hyacinth Uzu-Fela Enuha	2,710,078,325.77
56	Ray Okpu	Ray Okpu	2,673,346,469.66
57	Bao Yao Future Lex	Garba Idris AbubakarYaozhang Shen	2,669,859,056.59
58	Aquitane Oil and Gas Limited	Ikechukwu Okolo	2,640,490,132.20
59	Waziri B. Mustapha	Alhaji Waziri B. Mustapha	2,612,458,766.09
60	Riggs Securities Limited	Yomi TokosiTokosi TokumboFrederick Fasheun Ralph Obiha Awosika Kola	2,601,085,572.34
61	Likam Nigeria Limited	Alhaji Ibrahim HamzaYashuwah Hamza	2,525,755,239.96
62	Safe Nigeria Limited	Itohan Ogieva-OmosighoOsa Ogieva-Omosigho	2,369,063,554.93
63	Woksons International Limited	Chief William OkiOke E. Cynthia	2,326,577,517.14
64	Travaux Investments Limited	Lambo JumokeOgutuga KemiSheri William Folarin Rotimi Williams	2,303,470,835.43
65	Omega Savings and Loans	Agbetuyi SegunAdeniyi A. Adeuyiwa	2,283,749,521.09
66	Bellview Airlines Limited	Kayode OdukoyaAVM Emmanuel Ombu (Rtd)	2,258,232,021.87
67	Sage Int. Nig. Limited	Atikoro UyovbukerhiMaureen Uyovbukerhi	2,241,719,528.00
68	Van Vliet Trucks Limited	Nol Van VlietAdetunmbi DayoKome Agodo	2,136,216,694.00
69	Baba Haruna Ibrahim	Baba Hruna Ibrahim	2,076,544,891.02
70	Abbey Lincoln Limited	Awoleye T. AbisodunFrancis T. Abisodun	2,065,489,600.50
71	Shell Staff West	Shell Staff, represented by Ikponmwosa Ogiemuda	2,004,956,109.70
72	U.L.O. Consult, Ogbeogonogo	Chief Uche Luke Okpuno	1,984,819,888.82
73	Variations Industries Limited	Nwazulu Prince DennisNwazulu Protus	1,969,012,064.04
74	Tuns Holdings Limited	Olatunde Adekunle BadmusJoseph Zopy	1,965,039,873.11
75	Shelter Development	Bayero Usman Ja’afaruIbrahim Isa Wada	1,875,156,385.12
76	Lynq Communications	Joe Obiora UdeagbalaSylvia Udeagbala	1,847,974,990.21
77	Petlib Envi-Chem Ser	Ibiam EleanyaEEkwo Eteakamba Edem	1,706,415,936,54
78	Amsalco Ind. Limited	Aminu SalehBashir Aminu Saleh	1,646,184,931.54
79	Aminu Saleh Alhaji	Aminu Saleh Alhaji	1,630,812,798.76
80	Chevron Oil Staff Multipurpose Cooperative	Chevron Staff	1,595,966,334.11
81	Micro Products Int’l Nig. Limited	Chris Anugwolu	1,568,839,810.06
82	The Franklin Hotel & Suites	Frank Omosigo	1,566,984,396.77
83	Titanium Oil and Energy Limited	Acholonu PatrickEkezie Chief Ralph	1,564,295,090.70
84	Alcomp Computers Limited	Engineer Emeka Vitus EzenwanneGloria Uzoamaka Ezenwanne	1,559,711,000.55
85	Tina Stores Limited	Matthew NmeziClementina Nmezi	1,558,068,328.38
86	Shemofeyo Ventures Limited	Sheba A. Acholonu PatrickModupe Olorunfemi	1,549,586,200.57
87	Westoil Petroleum Services Limited	Bidemi H. FahnHamdalat AjayiOmotayo Fahn	1,540,787,598.44
88	Ohzed Oil and Gas Company Limited	Stella O. DikeEngr Matthew A. Dike	1,516,937,763.45
89	KDC Construction Limited	Alh Waziri B. Mustapha	1,480,572,356.42
90	Deep Sea Oil Gas Limited	Itelima Steve YeowumaItelima Patricia Yeowuma	1,386,834,554.36
91	Ascot Fabricators and Constr. Limited	Henry E. ImasekhaJoey Chuma Obue	1,374,274,319.42
92	I.C.M.G. Limited	Mike Osime	1,339,507,291.77
93	Huf Engineering Nigeria Limited	Enuha Hyacinth Uzu FelaEnuha Carol	1,288,402,095.13
94	Integral Petrochemicals Limited	Oludare O. OlagokeAdeyemi Y. Olagoke	1,269,386,433.60
95	Unicorn Place Leisure Services Limited	Ike Nwabuoku	1,256,178,425.11
96	Ibika Investment & Property Limited	Fashina Kofoworola OlakunleFashina Mabayomije Omololu	1,230,763,959.94
97	Assorted Foods & Beverages	Ifabiyi AdemolaIfabiyi EyitopeIfabiyi Toyin	1,185,194,335.36
98	Al-Fil Petroleum Company Limited	Alao IdrisAlao Abdullatif	1,151,788,405.05
99	Primeview Investment and Property	Gabriel OreneEsule George	1,119,804,330.77
100	Merepainti Nigeria Limited/BPT Equipment	Engr Mohammed Nura Khalil	987,172,183.55
101	Rainbownet Limited	H.E. Chimaroke Nnamani	804,985,922.59
102	Paveblocks Nigeria Limited	Alh Waziri B. Mustapha	633,128,165.50
103	Honourable Adetunji Adeniyi	Honourable Adetunji Adeniyi	491,220,414.05
104	Engr. Sarki Labaran	Engr. Sarki Labaran	471,402,281.70
105	Senator Usman Bayero Nafada	Senator Usman Bayero Nafada	409,502,652.84

LIB

Headline

Prerogative of Mercy: Osun Gov Pardons 53 Convicts

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has exercise his powers of prerogative of mercy, pardoning 53 convicted inmates, including a young man sentenced to death for ‘stealing fowl’.

The governor made this known via a tweet on his official X handle with the title, PREROGATIVE OF MERCY EXTENDED TO 53 CONVICTS.

The governor noted as follows:

In line with the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto 53 convicts serving various convictions within the Nigerian Correctional Service.

In the case of inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences of the following 30 (thirty ) inmates in whole.

1. OLUBO SUNDAY
2. ISAH UMAR BIODUN
3. FAWAS KAREEM
4. OMIRIN TEMITAYO
5. OLARENWAJU AYOMIDE
6. DARE SUNDAY
7. OLADAPO TUNDE
8. GANIYU SAHEED
9. ADEWUMI SODIQ
10. ADEBAYO ADEOYE
KEHINDE
11. LASIS KAZEEM
12. DAUDA OJO (59 YEARS)
13. ISMAILA RAJI
14. OSENI MICHEAL
15. AJAYI KOREDE
16. ABIONA NURUDEEN
17. OSHI SAMUEL
18. SHEU YUSUF OLATUNJI
19. OJO AANU
20. MUSTAPHA KEHINDE
21. LASIS ABEEB
22. ALEXANDRA IORLAHA
23. OJO TAIWO
24. AZEEZ MUJEEB
25. AKINYEMI DAVID
26. ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE
27. OLAOBAJU SAMUEL
28. ADURA ADEFEMI
29. PAUL BASIL
30. KUNLE DAVID

I have also decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to the following 12 (Twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences.

1. OLABOMIJI NURUDEEN
2. MUSTAPHA ISAH
3. OLALEKAN ABDULLAHI
4. AYOMIDE OLOJEDE
5. AKEEM RAPHAEL
6. ADEYEMI ABIODUN
7. OLADIPUPO SEGUN
8. OMISAKIN SUNDAY
9. ADEMOLA ADIO
10. TUNDE OLAPADE
11. LATE CHIEF WOLE OLA
RUFUS OJO
12. OMOLOYE OLAJIDE
OLAYEMI

In the case of the following 6 (Six) Convicts sentenced to death, I have approved the commutation of their sentence from death to outright release while OJEKUNLE TIMOTHY has his sentence commuted from death sentence to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment having spent at least 10 (ten) years in custody.

1 OLUWAFEMI FAGBEMI
2 BEWAJI SUNDAY
3. AMEHIN GEORGE
4. AYOMIDE ARULOGUN
5. TAIWO OLUWATOBI STEPHEN
6. ABUBAKAR ABDULAZEEZ

The following 4 (Four) Convicts also have their sentences commuted from death sentence to outright pardon.

1. SUNDAY MORAKINYO
2. SEGUN OLOWOOKERE
3. TUNDE OLAPADE
4. DEMOLA ODEYEMI

Headline

Amnesty Demands Probe of Military Airstrike in Sokoto Communities

Published

5 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Eric

Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Federal government to conduct a comprehensive, independent, and impartial investigation into a military airstrike that killed at least 10 people in two communities in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The human rights organization called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly set up an independent inquiry into the tragic incident.

Amnesty emphasized that if investigations point to criminal responsibility, the authorities must ensure that those indicted are prosecuted in fair and transparent trials, adhering to international human rights standards.

Amnesty International criticized the Nigerian military for what it described as a consistent pattern of neglect in investigating airstrikes and other violent incidents that have repeatedly endangered civilian populations.

The organization noted that this lack of accountability has fostered a climate of fear among villagers, who live under the constant threat of recurring attacks.

“These incidents have created a vicious cycle of violence and insecurity for communities, and this must not be allowed to continue,” the statement said.

Amnesty also highlighted the need for justice and effective remedies for the victims and their families, including compensation and psychological support.

They stressed that the government’s response must go beyond investigations to address the systemic failures that enable such incidents.

The call comes amid growing concerns about civilian casualties resulting from military operations in Nigeria, raising questions about the rules of engagement and the transparency of the country’s security forces.

Observers note that accountability for military actions is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring the protection of human rights.

Amnesty’s statement underscores the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to prevent further tragedies and uphold the fundamental rights of affected communities.

The Federal government has yet to respond to Amnesty International’s demands.

Headline

The Travails of Dele Farotimi – Out But Gagged –

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Following an X post by a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday, embattled human rights lawyer, Mr. Dele Farotimi, has finally been released from prison, having met his N30 million bail bond condition. Other requirements for the bail included two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, a submission of Farotimi’s passport and a prohibition of Farotimi granting media interviews once released.

He wrote, “I am pleased to report that Dele Farotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti State, and is now returning home to Lagos.

“The struggle continues! Happy holidays to you all!”Farotimi has been held in Ekiti Correctional Centre since his arrest on December 3 over alleged defamation charges brought against by another lawyer, Prof Afe Babalola.

Farotimi, on July 2, 2024, released a 116-page book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, setting the stage for a clash of interest resulting in petitions, persecutions, prosecutions and gagging of privileges and rights.

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the 2023 ele tions, and a political ally of Farotimi, had volunteered to assist in helping embattled lawyer meet his bail conditions.

Though Farotimi is out of prison, he is a gagged man as he is not permitted to speak about his experiences to the media, and has his movements curtailed as his passport has been withdrawn from him.

Dele Farotimi, a legal practitioner of repute, has been a human rights activist for as long as he has been a lawyer, even longer, but never in the history of his practice or profession, has he been so inundated by crises as he is facing presently. This is as a result of the publication and circulation of his new book, The Nigerian Justice System, recently.

The book received a reserved condemnation from revered legal luminary, Prof Afe Babalola, who is also the Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ekiti State. And ever since, Farotimi has known no peace as he had been a tenant of the Ekiti State Police Command, and lately, the state’s correction centre, where he was remanded by the court, and later released on bail.

Prof Babalola had complained the a portion of the book, had defamed his person and integrity, alleging that he compromised the Supreme Court, prompting him to write a petition to the Police, who swiftly picked up Farotimi in hid Lagos home, and whisked him away to Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, where it is a crime to defame an individual.

The Ekiti State Police Command insisted that the human rights lawyer refused to honour invitations, giving rise to the commando fashion with which they stormed his home and took him away even as criticisms continued to trail the style of the arrest, and Police continuous denial of using unconventional means to execute the arrest.

“We got a petition from a complainant against him, ordering the publication of false news to cause fear and alarm in the public. And that is contrary to and punishable under Section 59 of the Criminal Code. And also the publication of defamatory matter, which is also contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code. That was the petition we got.“And after all the means used to give him a fair hearing to come and explain himself were unsuccessful, we got a court order. The command obtained a court order before proceeding to arrest him.“He was only arrested after all attempts to make him come and explain himself proved abortive. He has been investigated and the case is already in court.

“He was only arrested after all attempts to make him come and explain himself proved abortive. He has been investigated and the case is already in court,” the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, explained.

But Farotimi’s lawyer, Temitope Temokun, countered the Police statement, saying his client was never invited by the Command

“He was invited by Zone 2 on two occasions, and he went there.

“But why would you be inviting somebody to Ekiti from Lagos on something that happened in Lagos? However, he was never invited, and if he had been invited, as a lawyer, I would advise him not to go.”

The situation erupted a discourse on various fora, further questioning the the credibility of the already discredited judiciary before some Nigerians, and further popularizing the said contentious book written by Farotimi.

The lawyer reasoned that, “The book was published in Lagos. The defendant has an office in Lagos. And under the Nigerian Criminal Justice System, the law is not that you have to go to where the defendant is, to go and try the accused. You have to try the accused where the act was committed, except he had escaped justice in another state.

“So if he didn’t do that, you cannot abduct him to that state that he didn’t escape to.”

However, on appearance at The Chief Magistrates Court in the Ado Ekiti Division, days later, he was ordered to be remanded in the state’s correctional centre pending consideration of his bail application.

Considering the case, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, after listening to the police prosecutor, Samson Osubu, who filed an 16-count allegations to which Farotimi pleaded not guilty, adjourned the matter till December 10, 2024, saying, “The defendant should file a formal application for bail. The matter is adjourned till Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The defendant is hereby ordered remanded at the Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti.”

Farotimi’s case was further compounded when on December 7 while the adjourned December 10 date was being awaited, the Police slammed a fresh 12-count charge bordering on alleged false information to cause a breakdown of law and order on the detained activist. The legal team of Prof Babalola urged Farotimi to prove his allegations against legal luminary. They also went for the jugular, asking that Farotimi be stripped of his law license as well as ensure the stoppage of the publication and circulation of the book.The charge filed at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, by the Inspector General of Police was brought under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

In the fresh charge dated and filed December 6, Farotimi was alleged to have violated the Cybercrimes laws, when he on August 28, 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted a false communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on his YouTube Channel in respect of a book he authored and published with the titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

According to the charge, Farotimi was alleged to have in the said broadcast interview claimed that, “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary”, a claim which he knew to be false information and made for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

In count two, the defendant was said to have made the allegation “with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”

In another charge, Farotimi was alleged to have on December 2, 2024, acknowledged that there was a charge preferred before a court in Ekiti State against him at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola.

“This preferred, hidden from view and the court had purportedly demanded my presence multiple times and failed to appear before the court and this Court had then proceeded to issue bench warrant for my arrest. This is classic Afe Babalola, I detailed his corruptive influence in my book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ which you know to contain false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended,” the charge read in part.

In count four, Farotimi was said to have described the charge in his online broadcast as “fraudulently preferred, hidden from view and the court had purportedly demanded my presence multiple times and I failed to appear before the court and this court had then proceeded to issue bench warrant for my arrest.”

The police further accused the defendant of bullying and harassing Babalola and other named persons when through his online broadcast alleged that after he sued Babalola for libel, “the machines of corruption went into overdrive and a case that should never have been killed at the preliminary stage was killed”.

Count 10 reads: That you Dele Farotimi on December 2, 2024 intentionally sent a message in the course of a press conference held on Online on your YouTube Channel, where you stated that: “I told the truth of his corruption of the society” which you know to contain false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence Contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

On December 10, his case was further moved to December 20 when he was granted N30 million bail. The bail conditions were completed on December 24 when he was released.

Though Farotimi is released, his freedom, which came at a cost, is not completely guaranteed as he will remain a regular visitor to courts until the final determination, which is likely to drag to the Supreme Court.

The Book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice SystemNigeria and Its Criminal Justice System gained significant attention following its release, with Amazon listing it as the number one bestseller worldwide in its category. The book’s critical exploration of systemic issues in Nigeria’s legal and judicial landscape resonated with readers across the globe, propelling it to the top of international bestseller charts. the book received a

(4.00 out of 5) from the site which was based on five critic reviews.

The release of the book was accompanied by a public dispute between Dele Farotimi and Afe Babalola, In a controversial development a court in Nigeria issued an injunction halting the further production, distribution, and sale of Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The decision came following a lawsuit filed by Babalola, who alleged that certain portions of the book contained defamatory statements and misrepresentations about individuals and institutions within the Nigerian criminal justice system.

FAROTIMI, THE MAN

Dele Farotimi was born on April 27, 1968, and completed his secondary education at Fiditi Grammar School. He later earned a law degree from Lagos State University where he graduated with an LL.B.

A unionist and activist, he served as President of the Student’s Union at the Lagos State University (LASU), in 1994-1995, and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1999.

Farotimi began his legal career at Adesina Ogunlana & Co specializing in advocating for a better Nigeria. Over the years with a deep commitment to human rights and justice. He practiced law actively until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 50. In addition to his legal work, Farotimi is a published author. His book, Do Not Die in Their War, addresses critical issues facing Nigeria, including corruption, governance, and the rule of law. The publication has been lauded for its candid insights and call to action for systemic change.

Dele Farotimi was arrested in lagos state on December 3, 2024, and extradited to Ekiti State by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The arrest followed allegations of defamation brought against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. Farotimi’s detention sparked widespread outrage, with activists, legal practitioners, and civil society organizations condemning the action as an attempt to stifle free speech and dissent.

Additional info: The PUNCH, ThisDay and Wikipedia