“Mr Dele Farotimi, the activist who was arrested and charged to court over allegations of criminal defamation of Chief Afe Babalola, the senior lawyer, was released on Christmas Eve after meeting bail conditions. The law should run its course, no doubt, but there is something ugly about putting someone in handcuffs for defamation.
I will continue to argue that defamation should be a civil case — not a matter to be prosecuted by the police. Civil society organisations and legal experts must ramp up the campaign to de-criminalise defamation.
It is subject to abuse and misuse and anyone can be a victim. It is not enough to lament — we must work hard to get the laws amended. Crucial!” – Simon Kolawole
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