Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has secured a ₦30 million bail from a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State.
A court in Ado Ekiti has granted activist Dele Farotimi a ₦30 million bail after over two weeks of detention in a correctional center. The court also instructed Farotimi to provide three sureties with property located within the court’s jurisdiction and ordered him to submit his international passport. Additionally, Farotimi is prohibited from participating in media interviews as part of the bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until February 13, 2025.
Farotimi, who arrived at the Magistrate Court on Friday morning at approximately 9:45 am, was escorted by a prison van and police officers. As he exited the vehicle, he raised his hands in appreciation of the crowd that gathered outside the courthouse.
At the last court session, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had reserved ruling on Farotimi’s bail application until December 20, following which the activist was remanded in prison. During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge filed against him by the police.
Farotimi’s defense attorney, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the charges. Olumide-Fusika argued that the charges were not legally recognized under Ekiti State’s Criminal Law of 2021, particularly the offense of defamation.
Farotimi is facing prosecution in the Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola.
The arrest has sparked widespread public criticism, with many Nigerians calling for Farotimi’s immediate release. Prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore, have voiced their support for Farotimi’s release, accusing the government of stifling dissent. Civil society organizations, such as Amnesty International, have condemned the arrest, calling for an end to the repression of dissenting voices.
Amnesty International Nigeria expressed concern over the arrest, stating on social media, “The Nigerian authorities must end repression of dissent and immediately and unconditionally release him.”
Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also criticized the arrest, deeming it illegal.
