Alleged Defamation: Dele Farotimi Gets N50m Bail
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, bail in the sum of N50 million, with a surety also required to provide the same amount. The court further ruled that the surety must possess a landed property. The matter has been adjourned to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi’s arrest by the Ekiti State Police Command came after a legal action brought against him by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Babalola, 95, accused Farotimi of defaming him in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
His arrest and arraignment have sparked outrage, with notable figures like the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, describing it as a gross misuse of police powers and an assault on democracy and justice.
Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Wednesday, condemned his arrest while also demanding his immediate release.
The NBA strongly condemned the alleged invasion of Farotimi’s law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises by the police.
The NBA described the police actions as a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession.
