Embattled human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has stated his readiness to face his legal tussles head-on.
Farotimi is accused of defaming legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola, in a 116-page book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Saying ”his battle axe is newly sharpened,” Farotimi, in a statement on his X page, said that he is ready to war against ”principalities and powers.”
”I am strong enough to rumble unruffled against principalities and powers, but I am human enough to retain the capacity to shed tears of joy in appreciation of the grace of God, expressed in the concerted efforts of fellow victims,” he said.
”My battle axes are newly sharpened, my guns primed; I am ready to war,” he added.
On December 21, the magistrate court granted the human rights lawyer bail with strict restrictions, including a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must possess property), forfeiture of his passport, and a prohibition on media interviews following his release.
Farotimi maintained his innocence, telling journalists that he had never lied against anyone.
“It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil. Some years back, before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria,” he stated.
He added, “In my war against the evil empire that we all live in, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know, I will say I don’t know.”