Afe Babalola Demands Evidence from Farotimi Over Allegations

Published

5 months ago

December 7, 2024

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Renowned lawyer Afe Babalola challenges Dele Farotimi to substantiate his allegations, urging him to present credible evidence. Discover the unfolding legal exchange.

Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), stated that human rights activist Dele Farotimi will be released from prison if he successfully proves his innocence against the charges brought by an Ekiti magistrate court.

In his book, Farotimi accused Afe Babalola of corrupting the nation’s judiciary system.

Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola, through the head of his legal team Owoseni Ajayi, encouraged Nigerians to seek out the truth before supporting Farotimi.

“Is it inappropriate for Aare Afe Babalola to pursue justice regarding these false statements made about him? Should only Mr. Dele Farotimi have access to justice simply because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon? If Mr. Dele Farotimi can provide evidence supporting his claims in the book, he will be vindicated,” stated Owoseni.

“Until that time, the law permits free speech, though it does not extend to expressions designed to harm another’s good reputation.”

He urged Nigerians to “verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” emphasizing that “all facts are verifiable.”

On Tuesday, news of Farotimi’s arrest captured nationwide attention. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana stated that the activist was apprehended in Lagos State on suspicions of criminal libel.

He stated on Tuesday that he had confirmed Mr. Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos today for alleged criminal libel and called for “Farotimi’s unconditional release from illegal custody.”

The arrest occurred just hours after Farotimi alleged that certain unidentified individuals were attempting to silence him. He took to social media to express his concerns about the situation.

“In a Facebook post, he mentioned that at the station, a lawyer handed him a petition accusing him of defamation. He noted that even though he found the petition to be without merit, he still addressed its content.”

On Wednesday, Farotimi was arraigned by the police and pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges brought against him.

In his decision, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered the author’s detention and postponed proceedings until December 10, 2024.

His arrest has sparked discussions both nationally and internationally. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is among those advocating for the release of the human rights lawyer.

In a statement by its president, Afam Osigwe, the NBA strongly denounces the invasion of Mr. Farotimi’s law firm and condemns both the harassment of its lawyers and staff as well as their illegal seizure of phones. These actions violate constitutional rights to dignity and privacy while also undermining the autonomy of legal professionals.

We urgently call for the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, as his arrest has no legal basis under Lagos State laws. The authorities should promptly initiate an investigation into the intrusion at his law firm, ensure transparency by making their findings public, and hold those responsible accountable.

Sokoto to begin 2025 Hajj airlift on May 9 — Pilgrims agency

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42 minutes ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise will commence on May 9.

Chairman of the agency, Aliyu Musa, disclosed this to journalists while giving an update on preparations ahead of the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

He revealed that out of the 2,860 registered intending pilgrims from the state, 2,500 visas have already been processed.

“We have finalized arrangements with officials of Flynass Airlines, the airline responsible for airlifting intending pilgrims from the state to the holy land,” Musa said.

He explained that all logistical arrangements were being concluded to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj operation for pilgrims from the state.

According to Musa, this year’s pilgrims will be accommodated in the Masfala area of Makkah, a location familiar to many previous pilgrims from Sokoto State.

“This arrangement was made to ensure that our pilgrims are comfortable and settled in a known environment,” he added.

The chairman also announced a new payment approach for the Hadaya, stating that intending pilgrims will be required to pay for the Hadaya in Naira before departure.

“This is to prevent pilgrims from tampering with their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) while in Saudi Arabia, which is capped at 500 dollars,” he explained.

Musa urged all intending pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly and be good ambassadors of the state and the country during their time in the holy land.

“We are calling on our pilgrims to avoid any acts that could tarnish the image of Sokoto State and Nigeria. The Hajj is a spiritual journey, and it should be treated as such,” he advised.

Nigerian Singer Portable Treats Himself to a Brand-New FORD F150 Truck

Published

9 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has splurged on a brand-new FORD F150 truck, flaunting his latest acquisition on Instagram.

In a video, Portable revealed that he topped up the N20 million given to him by Burna Boy after his victory over Speed Darlington in a celebrity boxing match.

The singer knocked out Speed Darlington in the first round of their highly publicized bout, held at the Balmoral Events Centre on April 19.

Burna Boy’s N20 million reward was a celebratory gesture for Portable’s impressive win. With some additional funds, Portable was able to purchase his sleek new ride.

Photo source: Instagram

Construct speed breakers to stop accidents on Apete-Akufo road – Residents to Makinde

Published

21 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Governor Seyi Makinde

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Residents of communities along the Apete -Akufo road have appealed to Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde to construct speed breakers and bumps om the road.

The residents noted that this is necessary in order to avoid incessant road accidents on the road.

Our correspondent reports that the road serves over 50 communities within Ido local government area.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the 12.5 kilometers road – which is the first concrete road in the state – was executed by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Many road accidents have occurred along the road since its construction.

The residents of the communities appealed to Makinde to provide speed breakers and bumps to avoid future occurrences of accidents on the road.

The residents in a statement signed by the Deputy Provost, Comfort Estate, Araromi, Professor Onyekachi Ireanus Okoro, said that many accidents have occurred on the road.

Okoro, in the statement made available to Ekwutosblog on Thursday, said that reckless driving habits of commercial motorcyclists, tipper truck drivers and other vehicle operators pose a significant threat to the lives of residents and travellers in the affected communities.

Okoro in the statement titled ‘Urgent call for road safety measures’, insisted that the current situation puts the lives of residents, commuters and pedestrians at risk.

“We, the community, are concerned about the increasing number of accidents on the Apete-Akufo Highway. The reckless driving habits of commercial motorcyclists, tipper truck drivers, and other vehicle operators pose a significant threat to the lives of residents and travelers.

“We kindly request the installation of speed breakers or bumps along this highway to reduce speeding and prevent accidents. This measure will help save lives and prevent unnecessary pain and suffering in our communities.

“The current situation puts the lives of residents, commuters, and pedestrians at risk. Speed control measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents.We are concerned about the impact of accidents on families and the community as a whole.

“We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this issue. The installation of speed breakers or bumps will be a significant step towards ensuring the safety of all road users.

“We believe that with the implementation of these safety measures, we can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for everyone. We look forward to a positive response to our request”.