Court Finally Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi

The lawyer was arrested earlier in the month for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD.

Farotimi, who was remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday amid heavy security presence.

According to a viral video clip, the human rights lawyer was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police escort, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.

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The magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 (today) on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.

Farotimi had pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the Ekiti State Police.

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His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had also filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.