Ekiti Court Grants Farotimi ₦30m Bail, Restricts Him from Media Appearances
the judge, Abayomi Adeosun, having granted the bail application, set the bail at ₦30 million and imposed strict conditions, including the seizure of Farotimi’s international passport and a prohibition on media appearances during the case. Two responsible sureties are also required to secure the bail.
A Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted bail to human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who is facing defamation charges filed by senior lawyer and Afe Babalola University founder, Afe Babalola.
Recalled that the court was formerly in a recess after claiming the ruling of the magistrate on Farotimi’s bail application was missing.
Coming back from the recess, the judge, Abayomi Adeosun, having granted the bail application, set the bail at ₦30 million and imposed strict conditions, including the seizure of Farotimi’s international passport and a prohibition on media appearances during the case. Two responsible sureties are also required to secure the bail.
Farotimi was arrested following a petition by Babalola, alleging defamation in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The charges fall under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
The prosecution claims that parts of the book contained remarks damaging to Babalola’s reputation. The police arrested Farotimi in Lagos on December 3 and transferred him to Ekiti State. The arrest sparked outrage, with prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi describing it as an attack on democracy and justice.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also condemned Farotimi’s arrest and the reported invasion of his law firm by police officers, describing the actions as a breach of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, an Abuja High Court issued an interim order banning the sale of Farotimi’s book.
Public Outcry and Legal Implications
Farotimi, known for his advocacy for justice and critique of human rights abuses, continues to receive widespread support. The NBA has called for his immediate release, decrying the police’s actions as harassment and intimidation.
This case highlights growing concerns over the use of state powers to silence dissenting voices, with activists and lawyers questioning the implications for freedom of expression in Nigeria.
Agency Report
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