Dele Farotimi Granted Bail in Defamation Case: Court Sets N30 Million Bond

The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted bail to embattled human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, after he was charged with 14 counts of defamation. The court set his bail at N30 million, with the condition that Farotimi provide two sureties, one of whom must own property in Ado-Ekiti.

The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted bail to embattled human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi

Bail Granted After Initial Denial

Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command in Lagos, following accusations of defaming renowned lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. The charges stem from claims made in Farotimi’s book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to secure a fraudulent judgment for his clients. Despite initial opposition from the prosecution, which argued that Farotimi was a flight risk, the court granted bail, deeming the defamation charge bailable.

Court Imposes Strict Conditions

Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, presiding over the case, stated that although the prosecution raised concerns about Farotimi potentially fleeing, the nature of the offense was still bailable. As part of the bail conditions, Farotimi must provide a N30 million bond and submit two sureties who are responsible citizens, including one who owns property in Ado-Ekiti. Additionally, Farotimi was ordered to refrain from making any media comments or interviews related to the case until its resolution. The court also instructed that he submit his international passport.

Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command in Lagos

Defendant’s Legal Team and Further Proceedings

The defense counsel, Barr. Adejare Kembi, informed the court that Farotimi’s international passport had already been submitted as part of his bail conditions in a separate cybercrime case at the Federal High Court. The magistrate ruled that a written confirmation from the Federal High Court registrar would be required to verify the submission.

The trial is set to continue on February 13, 2025, with the court also addressing the issue of senior lawyers appearing in Magistrate Court, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is not permitted to represent a defendant in this jurisdiction. The defense team expressed confidence in fulfilling the bail conditions swiftly, while the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of the charges against Farotimi, citing the impact of his alleged actions on both Chief Afe Babalola and the judiciary at large.

A High-Stakes Case with Far-reaching Implications

This case has garnered significant attention, not only for the charges of defamation but also for the potential legal and professional ramifications for Farotimi. As the proceedings unfold, the focus will remain on whether the accused can meet bail conditions and how the court handles the high-profile nature of the case.