UPDATE: Nigerian Police File 12 Fresh Cybercrime Charges Against Dele Farotimi [PHOTOS]

The Nigerian Police have brought new cybercrime charges against detained human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The additional 12-count charge was filed on Friday, December 6, 2024, before a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.

This comes after 16 charges were previously filed against Farotimi by the Police on Wednesday.

It will be recalled that the human rights lawyer was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command.

The following day, he was arraigned in a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on a 16-count charge of defamation of character against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, who was mentioned in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

In his ruling, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun remanded Farotimi in prison custody until December 10.

In the latest charges, Farotimi is accused of making defamatory statements on Seun Okinbaloye’s podcast, based on content in his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

He is further accused of intimidating and maligning Afe Babalola during the podcast.

The lawyer was also charged with publicly discussing details of legal actions taken against him during a press conference on December 2, 2024, prior to his arrest on December 3, 2024.