HUMAN rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted a N50 million bail by an Ekiti State High Court.
This was disclosed by the African Action Congress (AAC) 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on his X handle on Monday, December 9.
“The first hurdle was crossed. @DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million naira surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to 29 January 2025,” Sowore posted.
The ICIR reported that the Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, December 4, remanded Farotimi in custody after denying him bail following his arraignment on a 16-count cybercrime and defamation charge case instituted against him by nonagenarian lawyer, Afe Babalola.
Farotimi, renowned for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for justice, was arrested following a petition filed by Babalola, a senior advocate.
The charges are detailed under Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.). Act, 2015, centers on allegations of defamation stemming from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The case, with suit number MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant, according to Sahara Reporter.
It quoted court filings as saying excerpts from the book allegedly made damaging remarks about Babalola, referring to him in disparaging terms.
The filing shows the prosecution arguing that such descriptions were intended to harm the senior advocate’s reputation.
The ICIR reported how the police arrested Farotimi on Tuesday, December 3. His arrest was exposed by Sowore in a post on his X handle.
Farotimi was subsequently transferred to Ekiti State, where he was later detained by the State Police Command.
His arrest and arraignment have sparked outrage, with notable figures like the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, describing it as a gross misuse of police powers and an assault on democracy and justice.
Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Wednesday, condemned his arrest while also demanding his immediate release.
The NBA strongly condemned the alleged invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises by the police.
The NBA described the police actions as a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
A reporter with the ICIR
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