Lawyer Dele Farotimi Granted N30 Million Bail Amid Defamation Trial
An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State has granted a N30 million bail to embattled lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun approved the bail request under strict conditions. Farotimi is required to provide two responsible sureties, surrender his international passport, and refrain from granting media interviews while the case is ongoing.
In a surprising development, Magistrate Adeosun barred Farotimi’s lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, from appearing before the court, citing Section 9 of the Magistrates’ Courts Law of 2014 as the basis for the decision.
Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to the defamation charge, which stems from allegations made by elder statesman and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola. The activist was arraigned following a petition accusing him of criminal defamation in his recently published book.
This is not the only legal battle Farotimi faces. On December 9, the Federal High Court in Ekiti granted him N50 million bail in a separate case involving a 12-count charge of cybercrime, filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
Farotimi’s trial, currently unfolding in two courts, underscores the high-stakes legal drama surrounding the prominent activist and author.