A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted a ₦30 million bail to prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, following his arrest earlier this month on allegations of defaming legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
Farotimi, who had been held at a correctional facility in Ado Ekiti, appeared before the court on Friday under tight security. Arriving at the court premises at approximately 9:45 a.m. in a prison van accompanied by a police escort, the lawyer was met by a crowd of supporters. In a symbolic gesture, Farotimi raised his hands in gratitude to the cheering crowd as he stepped out of the vehicle.
At the previous court session, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had reserved ruling on Farotimi’s bail application and ordered his remand pending a decision. Delivering the much-anticipated ruling on December 20, the magistrate set bail conditions at ₦30 million with sureties in like sum.
Farotimi faces a 14-count charge filed by the Ekiti State Police Command. However, he pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include allegations of defamation. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection challenging the legality of the charges.
According to Olumide-Fusika, the charges brought against Farotimi are “unknown to law” under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, which does not recognize defamation as a criminal offense. The defense counsel urged the court to strike out the case.
The courtroom drama attracted significant public attention, with many seeing the case as a litmus test for freedom of speech and the rule of law in Nigeria. Farotimi’s supporters have described the proceedings as politically motivated, while others have commended the judiciary for allowing the bail application to proceed.
The case is expected to continue as the court considers the preliminary objections and prepares for trial. Meanwhile, the human rights lawyer’s release on bail has provided some respite for his supporters and stirred fresh debates on the criminalization of defamation in Nigerian law.
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