The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has denied bail to human rights activist Dele Farotimi following allegations of cybercrime filed against him by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Farotimi is accused of defaming Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, through claims made in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun postponed the decision on bail until December 20, citing objections from police counsel Samson Osobu, who argued that the defendant’s bail application was incomplete and improperly filed.
This ruling contradicts a previous decision by the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, which granted Farotimi bail on Monday.
Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Ekiti, is now remanded in the state correctional centre under the magistrate’s order.
The arrest has sparked public protests, with former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore demanding Farotimi’s release.
“The police cannot be used to settle personal scores. We, the citizens of Nigeria, will not tolerate such actions,” Sowore stated on his X handle.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, condemned the arrest as unlawful and called for Farotimi’s immediate release, describing the detention as a breach of legal rights and stressing the need for justice.
In their defence, the police stated that Farotimi had ignored previous invitations to appear before them and argued that his arrest was based on charges of cyberbullying and defamation.
The controversy continues as legal experts and activists voice strong criticism of the actions taken against the activist.
