A magistrates’ court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted N30 million bail to embattled lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, in a defamation case brought against him.
At the hearing of the bail application on Friday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled in favor of Farotimi’s request.
The magistrate stipulated the bail conditions, which include the provision of two responsible sureties and the surrender of Farotimi’s international passport to the court.
Additionally, Farotimi was instructed not to grant media interviews while the case is ongoing.
Before granting bail, Magistrate Adeosun ruled that Farotimi’s lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, is prohibited from appearing before the court, citing Section 9 of the Magistrate’s Courts Law 2014 to justify the decision.
Farotimi, who has pleaded not guilty to the defamation charge, is facing trial following a petition by elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.
The petition accused Farotimi of criminal defamation in his recently released book.
The Ekiti Police Command had earlier arraigned the activist on the charges, which are also being heard in two courts.
On December 9, the Federal High Court in Ekiti granted Farotimi a separate N50 million bail with one surety over a 12-count charge of cybercrime filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, he has so far been unable to meet the bail conditions.
Farotimi’s case continues to attract public attention, with activists and legal experts closely monitoring developments.
