The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has remanded human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, in prison custody.

Naija News reports that Farotimi was taken back to prison on Tuesday after the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, postponed the decision on the bail application to December 2o, 2024.

This comes after the police counsel, Samson Osobu, argued that the bail application submitted by the defendant was incomplete and not properly filed.

This ruling, however, contradicts the decision of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which granted Farotimi bail on Monday.

Farotimi’s arraignment stems from allegations of defamation against Nigerian Senior Advocate, Afe Babalola, SAN, in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” where he accused Babalola of corrupting Supreme Court judges.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned on a 16-count charge.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The police prosecutor requested his remand in prison custody pending further investigation, while his counsel argued for bail on liberal terms, citing the presumption of innocence.

However, Farotimi’s arrest has sparked public outrage among Nigerians and political elites, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.