Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has been released from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre after fulfilling his bail conditions.
He regained his freedom on Tuesday morning following a Magistrate Court ruling in Ado-Ekiti last Friday, which set his bail at ₦30 million with two sureties.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun stipulated that the sureties must be responsible citizens, with one owning property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Farotimi was also required to submit his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews while his trial is ongoing. The activist is facing a 14-count charge of alleged defamation, with the police accusing him of “criminally defaming” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.’ Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In a separate case before the Federal High Court in Ekiti, Farotimi faces 12 additional charges related to cybercrime, filed by the Inspector-General of Police. He was previously granted ₦50 million bail in that case, with one surety.
Addressing his supporters after his release, Farotimi reaffirmed his integrity and dedication to truth in his advocacy work. “In my public advocacy, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will simply say I don’t know,” he said. Farotimi emphasized that truth remains the most effective tool for achieving meaningful change in Nigeria.
