A Magistrate Court in Ekiti State has granted human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi bail set at ₦30 million.
The court mandated that Farotimi provide three sureties with landed properties within the jurisdiction. Additionally, he was instructed to refrain from granting media interviews and to surrender his international passport. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025.
Farotimi, who had been held in a correctional facility in Ado Ekiti for over two weeks, arrived at the court premises around 9:45 a.m. on Friday. Escorted in a prison van with police security, he greeted a crowd of supporters by raising his hands in gratitude as they cheered outside the court.
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This ruling follows Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun’s decision at the previous session to reserve judgment on the bail application until December 20, during which the activist was remanded in custody.
During the proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to a 14-count charge brought against him by the police. His legal counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the charges were legally unfounded, citing that defamation is not recognized as an offense under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi is being prosecuted for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. His arrest had sparked widespread public criticism, with numerous Nigerians and prominent figures demanding his release.
Political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore, joined the call for his freedom, accusing the government of suppressing dissent. Civil society organizations, such as Amnesty International, also condemned his detention. Amnesty International Nigeria, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), urged authorities to “end the repression of dissent and immediately and unconditionally release him.”
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also criticized the arrest, labeling it as illegal.
