Dele Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, has been granted N30 million bail by the Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The lawyer was arrested earlier this month for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, or ABUAD.
Farotimi, who was remanded in a correctional facility in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, came to the Magistrate Court at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, accompanied by heavy security.
According to a popular video clip, the human rights lawyer was driven to the courthouse in a prison van with a police escort, where he alighted and raised his hands in thanks to the roaring audience outside.
At the last hearing, the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, delayed her decision on the bail application until December 20 (today), and ordered that the activist be held in prison.
Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count allegation brought against him by the Ekiti State Police.
His lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had also filed a preliminary objection requesting the court to dismiss the case.
According to him, the case before the court was not legal, and the offence of defamation was not recognized by the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
