A Magistrate Court in Ekiti State has granted human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, bail with the sum of ₦30 million after over two weeks in custody.
The court required three sureties with landed property within the jurisdiction and ordered him to submit his international passport and refrain from media interviews.
The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025.
Farotimi, accused of defaming Senior Advocate of Nigeria Afe Babalola, faces a 14-count charge, which he pleaded not guilty to.
His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, argued that the charges were not recognised under Ekiti State’s 2021 Criminal Law.
The activist’s arrest sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups, including Amnesty International, and political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore.
They condemned the arrest as an attack on dissent and demanded his release. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also described the arrest as unlawful.
Farotimi’s bail was granted after Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun reserved ruling on December 20, with public pressure mounting for his freedom.
