By Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, has granted bail of ₦50 million to human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi was granted bail in a cybercrime suit filed against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Last Tuesday, Farotimi was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti over a petition by legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), alleging defamation in his book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Judicial System.
The IGP subsequently filed a fresh suit, marked FHC/AD/CR/104/2024, against Farotimi at the Federal High Court, presenting a 12-count charge related to cybercrime.
During Monday’s hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Babs Kuewumi, dismissed the arguments of the prosecutor, Samson Osubu, who opposed bail for the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi granted bail to Farotimi in the sum of ₦50 million, with a surety resident in Ekiti. The court further ordered the defendant to submit his international passport and adjourned the case until January 29, 2025, for the commencement of hearing.