Lagos based legal practitioner and rights activist, Dele Farotimi, arrived at the Magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti around 9.50am for a hearing in the criminal suit filed by the police against him for alleged defamation of renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola.

At the commencement of proceedings, the prosecution challenged the appearance of the defendant’s lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), before the Magistrate Court on the basis that “a SAN should not appear in a lower court.”

Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun adjourned his ruling on this objection to a later date.

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The Senior Advocate subsequently stepped down from the proceedings paving the way for the other lawyers present with him in court to continue their representation for the defendant.

The team now has Taiwo Adedeji, Ayodele Ademiluyi and Mayowa Omojola representing the defendant, Dele Farotimi.

The prosecution has also served the defendant, Dele Farotimi, with an amended charge, which reduces the initial 16 counts to 14 counts.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After his plea, the court then listened to arguments for and against the bail application of the defendant.

After which Magistrate Adeosun reserved his ruling on the application for bail to Friday, December 20, 2024.