JUST-IN: Ekiti Court Grants Dele Farotimi N50m Bail

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Monday granted lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi bail in the sum of N50 million.

The court’s decision, which required a surety with a landed property of equal value, was announced on Monday.

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, disclosed the bail condition via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.

“The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025,” Sowore wrote.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Farotimi was arrested by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command following a defamation lawsuit filed by 95-year-old Aare Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

The case centered on allegations that Farotimi defamed Babalola in his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

The arrest however sparked national outrage with civil society organisations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) demanding Farotimi’s immediate release. Critics described the arrest as an infringement on freedom of expression and a suppression of dissent voices.

Farotimi’s case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025, when court proceedings will continue.