A magistrates’ court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, has granted bail of N30 million to embattled lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi. During the bail application hearing on Friday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favor of Farotimi’s request for bail. The conditions for the bail included the provision of two responsible sureties and the surrender of Farotimi’s international passport to the court. Furthermore, the magistrate ordered that Farotimi must refrain from granting media interviews while the case is ongoing.
Before delivering the bail ruling, Magistrate Adeosun barred Farotimi’s lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, from appearing before the court, citing Section 9 of the Magistrate’s Courts Law 2014 as justification.
Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to the charge of defamation.
Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos by operatives of the Ekiti state police command over allegations of defamation against him.
He was accused in a 14-count charge of defaming a renowned lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN in his book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his clients.
Farotimi is currently facing trial in two separate courts over allegations of defaming Babalola. On December 9, the Federal High Court in Ekiti granted him bail of N50 million with one surety in a separate case involving a 12-count charge of cybercrime filed by the Inspector-General of Police. However, he has been unable to meet the bail conditions.
