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By, Joke Thomas.
Human Right activist, Dele Farotimi has pointedly mentioned to Peter Obi that he did not invite anybody to plead on his behalf.
And he also demanded that the case against him be withdrawn first as pre-condition for his apology.
YOUNEWS learnt on good authority that the Monday’s visit of Obi and Ebiseni to Babalola was not at Farotimi’s behest but an Obi initiative.
The source said Obi took the step to identify with a member of his presidential campaign team who is in trouble.
It was learnt that Obi requested Ebiseni to accompany him to see Babalola.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos last week and taken before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun in Ado-Ekiti for criminal defamation. He was remanded till December 10.
But on Monday, he was arraigned before the Federal High Court on cybercrime and subsequently granted bail for N50 million.
Tuesday, when he returned to the Magistrate’s court, the remand order was extended till December 20.
Age Babalola we learnt told Obi to ask Farotimi to plead guilty to the criminal defamatory charge, failing which he must prove his allegation against him.
“Baba Afe told Obi that he (Babalola) has nothing to gain by Farotimi’s incarceration. If he says the allegations are false and offers apology in some newspapers, then, the case can be withdrawn,” a source said.
Another source confirmed that the Monday’s visit of Obi and Ebiseni to Babalola was not at Farotimi’s behest but an Obi initiative.
The source said Obi took the step to identify with a member of his presidential campaign team who is in trouble. It was learnt that Obi requested Ebiseni to accompany him to see Babalola.
The source, who also confirmed the interest already shown by Obasanjo and Kukah in the matter, said he believed it would be resolved.
Ruling in bail application reserved till Dec 20. Farotimi will remain in prison custody till December 20 when Magistrate Adeosun will rule on his bail application.
Babalola had petitioned the Police over aspects of the 104-page book he considered as defaming him.
Farotimi, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge preferred against him by the Police.
