The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, a N50 million bail.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (ADC) in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, disclosed this in a post on X on Monday, December 9, 2024.
“The first hurdle was crossed. Dele Farotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to 29 January 2025,” Sowore stated.
Sowore, in another post, said: “The farcical trial of citizen Dele Farotimi continues tomorrow at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti over a non-existent offense in Ekiti law books.
“We’ve asked the State Attorney General of Ekiti State to discontinue the trial immediately.”
Farotimi has since been in police custody in Ekiti State over alleged defamation of renowned lawyer Afe Babalola (SAN).
The Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti had, on Wednesday, December 4, Farotimi, over alleged defamation of Babalola.
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The defendant, who was arraigned on a 16-count charge by the police, pleaded not guilty to all the offences.
Ruling on the bail application by the defence counsel, Dayo Akeredolu, the Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered the remand of Farotimi in prison.
He subsequently adjourned the case until December 10 for further hearing.
Earlier, the police prosecutor, Samson Osun, told the court that Farotimi committed the offences sometime in 2024.
According to him, Farotimi published a book titled, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, which impugned the character of Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti.
Osun said Farotimi in the publication alleged “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients.”
The prosecutor said the allegation was false and had injured the reputation of Babalola by exposing him to hatred, contempt, ridicule, and damage in his profession.
He said the book was read across the world, including Ekiti, hence the arraignment of Farotimi in the state.
Osun added that the offence contravened and was punishable under Sections 59(1) and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.
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