Farotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations

Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has announced plans to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in a bid to seek the permanent disbarment of lawyers he accused of playing roles in his recent arrest and defamation case.

This follows the LPDC’s recent dismissal of a petition from Afe Babalola’s law firm, Emmanuel Chambers, which had sought to revoke Farotimi’s legal licence. The firm alleged that Farotimi engaged in criminal defamation and professional misconduct.

The allegations stemmed from statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Criminal Justice System, which accused members of the judiciary and legal community of corruption, bribery, and unethical practices. Specifically, the book referenced a Supreme Court case (SC/146/2006) between Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye.

Emmanuel Chambers claimed Farotimi distorted case details, disrespected his colleagues, and obstructed justice for personal gain. They argued that his criticism of a Supreme Court judgment affecting residential estates and subsequent legal proceedings violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, calling for his name to be struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners.

READ ALSO:

• We’ve recovered N78m from stolen N180m – Verydarkman
• Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites
• Man City beat Leicester 2-0 as Haaland ends goal drought

However, the LPDC dismissed the petition, stating that the alleged actions occurred in Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not during his professional legal practice. Consequently, the committee ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the matter and suggested the complainants seek redress in court.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel on Sunday—Farotimi stated he would pursue legal action against those he claims orchestrated his “abduction.”

He vowed to defend himself vigorously against the various criminal and civil suits filed against him.

“I will be seeking legal reliefs and redresses against everyone involved in my abduction. I shall be defending each and every one of the many suits—civil and criminal—that have been filed against me rigorously,” Farotimi said.

He also revealed plans to petition the LPDC to ensure that certain lawyers involved in his ordeal are permanently barred from practising law in Nigeria.

“I remain your brother, I remain Dele Farotimi Esq. SAN—Senior Accused of Nigeria, victim of Nigeria, but a conscious victim capable of articulating the conditions of the victim. I am not a victim again; I am a threat,” he declared.

Farotimi reiterated his commitment to confronting the legal challenges head-on while seeking justice against those he accuses of acting against him.

Farotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations

We’ve recovered N78m from stolen N180m – Verydarkman

Controversial social critic, Verydarkman has disclosed that N78 million out of the N180 million allegedly stolen from his NGO account has been recovered.

The revelation comes days after he took to Instagram on Friday to raise an alarm about the hacking of his organization’s account, claiming N180 million was missing.

However, his statement sparked skepticism, with many questioning the credibility of his claims.

READ ALSO:

• Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites
• Man City beat Leicester 2-0 as Haaland ends goal drought
• Lagos heads to Supreme Court over Olaleye’s sexual assault acquittal

Providing an update on the recovery process via Instagram on Sunday, Verydarkman expressed gratitude and shared the next steps in the investigation.

“Thanks to the people who called to check up on me. I also want to thank God for the process so far: we have been able to recover N78m, even though the suspect pointed out that the person he did with has run to Ghana, so hopefully, we would be going to Ghana very soon,” he said.

We’ve recovered N78m from stolen N180m – Verydarkman

Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, deactivated 21 boats used for the crime and recover over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the ongoing anti bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt at the weekend by the Division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said eight suspects were arrested in the operations carried out from 23-29 December 2024.

Lt. Col. Jonah said following a tip-off on illegal activities around Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, troops responded effectively leading to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.

“At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower. Also, an illegal refining site, one big pot and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately.

“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted in the area in the process of loading crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.

READ ALSO:

• Man City beat Leicester 2-0 as Haaland ends goal drought
• Lagos heads to Supreme Court over Olaleye’s sexual assault acquittal
• Nigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence

“Relatedly, around Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, four fibre and three wooden boats were intercepted respectively as well as about 2,000 litres of stolen crude handled. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks loaded with over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“While at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA, one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat and over 3,500 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similarly, at the fringes of Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.

“In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen fuel confiscated. Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowlines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.

“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.

“In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka. Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. Preliminary investigation revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

“In Delta State, various kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations were conducted . These operations have effectively denied criminal elements freedom of action in the area, the statement pointed out.”

The statement added that the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged troops to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area in order to create an enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive in the region.

Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites