EKITI: The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted a N50 million bail to lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi. The decision was revealed on Monday by Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress in the 2023 elections, through his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Sowore shared: “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million, with surety in the same amount, and the surety must own landed property. The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025.”
In another tweet, Sowore criticized Farotimi’s “farcical trial,” which is set to continue the following day (Tuesday) at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, accusing the charges of being based on a non-existent law in Ekiti State. He also called on the Attorney-General of Ekiti State to immediately halt the trial.
Farotimi was initially remanded in prison custody on December 7, 2024, after being arrested on 16 counts of criminal defamation. The charges stem from alleged defamation of prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, in Farotimi’s recently published book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
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A petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, by Babalola’s law firm accused Farotimi of falsely accusing Babalola of corrupting the Supreme Court. The accusation relates to a Supreme Court ruling on a two-decade-long land dispute.
Farotimi was arrested by officers from the Lagos State Police Command and transported to Ekiti for arraignment. Despite a directive from the Ekiti State Police Command banning gatherings and demonstrations due to public safety concerns, the Take It Back Movement has pledged to proceed with planned protests in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London, and Canada, in response to Farotimi’s detention.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the movement, stated that the police have no legal grounds to ban peaceful protests. He added, The position of the TIB remains unchanged, and our actions will continue as planned, despite the police’s threats.
The unlawful actions of the Nigerian Police cannot be ignored. They cannot outlaw peaceful protests this is illegal. We are challenging the police’s thuggery, especially the officers from Ekiti who abducted Farotimi in Lagos and assaulted his staff.”
Meanwhile, Babalola’s legal team has made it clear that Farotimi will regain his freedom only if he can substantiate his allegations against the elder statesman.
