An Ekiti State High Court has granted N50 million bail to Dele Farotimi in a defamation suit brought against him by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. The case stems from comments made in Farotimi’s book, which the complainant alleges were defamatory.
Speaking on the matter during an interview with Arise News from 5:35, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, emphasized the universal nature of jurisdiction in defamation cases, explaining that a claim can be pursued wherever the alleged defamatory material is accessed. “Jurisdiction is limitless; it’s not confined to the place where that book was published,” Ogala noted. “If you write something defamatory about me in America and I get to read it in Lagos, I can exercise my right in Lagos, Nigeria.”
Ogala explained that in this instance, Chief Afe Babalola, a senior advocate residing in Ekiti State, became aware of the alleged defamatory comments in his domicile. Consequently, the case was filed in Ekiti, aligning with legal provisions that allow plaintiffs to seek redress in their place of residence or where the material is accessed.
“Jurisdiction is limitless, it’s not confined to the place where that book was published. If you write something defamatory about me in America and I get to read it in Lagos, I can exercise my right in Lagos, Nigeria. In this case, that book having been widely published and widely read, and the complainant in this case, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, his residence is in Ekiti and that’s why he had become aware of the alleged defamatory comments. What then is his choice? That is his domicile, so he lodged a complaint,” Ogala explained.