Court Grants Dele Farotimi N50m Bail, Case Adjourned to January 2025
A Federal High Court in Ekiti has granted renowned human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, bail of N50 million with one surety. The ruling came on Monday, December 9, with the presiding judge, Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, outlining the terms for the bail. The surety, the judge instructed, must provide proof of two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from a bank.
The development was announced on Monday by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The trial was adjourned to January 29, 2025. This marks the next step in a legal battle stemming from a 12-count cybercrime charge filed against Farotimi by the Inspector-General of Police.
Also Read: Why the Arrest of Dele Farotimi Is Unlawful According to Lagos Laws – NBA
The charges relate to allegations that he spread false information about prominent Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), during an online interview. According to the first count, on August 28, 2024, Farotimi knowingly and intentionally transmitted false information in an interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, in which he claimed Babalola had “corrupted the judiciary.” The statement was allegedly made in connection with Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, and was said to be designed to cause a breakdown of law and order. This action is claimed to have violated Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as amended.
Farotimi’s legal troubles began earlier in the week when he was arrested by the Ekiti State Police Command in Lagos, following a petition filed by Babalola over the alleged defamation and cyberbullying. Farotimi was subsequently arraigned on a 16-count charge at the Ekiti Magistrate Court, where he was remanded in prison custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for December 10.
