Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail in the sum of N30 million by the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
On Friday, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered Farotimi to provide two sureties, one of whom must own property in Ado-Ekiti, as part of the bail conditions.
Farotimi, who is facing 14 counts of defamation, arrived at the Magistrate Court at 9:45 am.
He was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos by Ekiti police officers following the publication of his book ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, where he alleged that Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his clients.
While presiding over the case on Friday, Adeosun stated that the offence of defamation preferred against Farotimi is bailable despite taking note of the issues raised by the prosecuting counsel.
He ordered the embattled activist to provide a N30 million bond with two sureties who are responsible citizens of the country with one of them a house owner in Ado-Ekiti.
Farotimi was also barred from granting media interviews or making comments on the issue pending the determination of the substantive suit in the court.
Furthermore, he is to submit his international passport.
Subsequently, the court was informed by the head of the defence counsel, Barr. Adejare Kembi that Farotimi’s international passport had been submitted at the Federal High Court earlier as part of his bail conditions on a different suit on alleged cybercrime against him.
The defence team was instructed by the magistrate to provide a written document from the Registrar of the Federal High Court confirming the receipt of the passport.
“I have taken note of the fear of the prosecution counsel that he is a flight risk and I have balanced it with the fact that the alleged offence is still a bailable one and I decided to grant the application on the promise that the defendant will promptly appear for the case.
“Bail is therefore granted to the defendants on the following conditions; N30 million bond, the defendants shall produce two sureties who should be responsible individuals in the Nigerian society, one of which must be a house owner in the metropolis of Ado-Ekiti.
“He shall submit his international passport and refrain in the meantime, media interviews or comments whatsoever whether in the electronic or print media during the course of the case,” Adeosun stated.
Following the ruling on the bail application, Kembi addressed journalists and commended the verdict, adding that the defence team would ensure that the bail conditions are perfected in record time for the defendant to be free.