JUST IN: Ekiti Court Grants Dele Farotimi ₦50 Million Bail

Prominent human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court. The court set the bail at ₦50 million, requiring a surety of the same amount with ownership of a landed property.

Farotimi’s legal troubles arise from a defamation suit filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chief Afe Babalola, who alleges that statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, damaged his reputation. The court has adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.

The arrest of Farotimi by the Ekiti State Police Command in connection to the case has sparked significant public backlash. Civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have strongly criticized the arrest, arguing it threatens free speech and raises serious concerns about justice in the country.

The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly due to Chief Babalola’s standing as a 95-year-old legal luminary and Farotimi’s reputation as a staunch advocate for human rights and judicial reform.