Embattled Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted bail in the sum of ₦30 million by a Magistrate’s Court in Ekiti State.
The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.
He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.
Farotimi, who had been in custody at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, arrived at the court premises on Friday morning at approximately 9:45 am. He was transported in a prison van accompanied by a police escort.
Upon arrival, Farotimi stepped out of the van to the cheers of a supportive crowd gathered outside the court. He raised his hands in appreciation, acknowledging their solidarity.
His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.
During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.
His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.
According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.
Farotimi’s arrest has been greeted with public criticism with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.
Opposition leaders including former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore, among others all joined in the call for the release of Farotimi. They accused the government of trying to suffocate dissenting voices.
Civil society organisations including Amnesty International also condemned Farotimi’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.
Amnesty International Nigeria had in one of its series of post on X over the matter, said, “the Nigerian authorities must end repression of dissent and immediately and unconditionally release him (Frotimi).
Also, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) condemned the arrest, describing it as illegal.
