Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail of N30 million by the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The bail conditions, set by Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, require Farotimi to provide two sureties, one of whom must own property in Ado-Ekiti.
Farotimi faces 14 counts of defamation following allegations in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he accused legal luminary Afe Babalola of influencing the Supreme Court to secure a fraudulent judgment. He was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos by Ekiti police officers.
Appearing in court on Friday at 9:45 am, Farotimi heard Adeosun declare that defamation is a bailable offence. While acknowledging the prosecution’s concerns over a potential flight risk, the magistrate emphasized the need for the defendant’s presence in future proceedings.
Bail Conditions:
- A N30 million bond.
- Two sureties who are responsible citizens, one of whom must own property in Ado-Ekiti.
- Submission of his international passport.
- A ban on granting media interviews or making public comments related to the case.
Farotimi’s legal counsel, led by Barrister Adejare Kembi, informed the court that his international passport had already been submitted to the Federal High Court as part of a separate bail condition on an unrelated cybercrime case. Magistrate Adeosun directed the defence to obtain a written confirmation from the Registrar of the Federal High Court regarding the passport’s submission.
Following the hearing, Barrister Kembi praised the court’s decision and assured that the bail conditions would be met promptly to secure Farotimi’s release.
