A Magistrate Court in Ekiti State has approved a N30 million bail for human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi..
As part of the bail conditions, Farotimi must provide three sureties, each possessing landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court also directed him to surrender his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews. The case has been adjourned until February 13, 2025.
Farotimi, who had spent over two weeks in custody at a correctional facility in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court around 9:45 a.m. on Friday. Escorted in a prison van and flanked by police officers, he raised his hands in acknowledgment of supporters gathered outside the court.
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At the previous hearing, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun reserved ruling on the bail application until December 20 and ordered the activist’s remand. During Friday’s proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14 charges brought against him by the police.
His lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, challenged the charges in court, arguing they were legally baseless and that defamation is not recognized as a criminal offense under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The charges stem from allegations that Farotimi defamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. His arrest drew widespread criticism from the public, with calls for his release coming from prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore, who accused authorities of stifling dissent.
Civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, joined the outcry. In a post on X, Amnesty International Nigeria called for Farotimi’s “immediate and unconditional release,” asserting that authorities must end the repression of dissent.
Prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also denounced the arrest, labeling it illegal.