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A Magistrate Court in Ekiti State has granted human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi bail in the sum of N30 million.
NRTC earlier reported that Farotimi was arrested, prosecuted and detained in prison for allegedly defaming legal luminary Afe Babalola in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
In addition to the bail, the court instructed Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed property within the jurisdiction.
Farotimi was also ordered to refrain from giving media interviews and to submit his international passport.
The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi arrived at the court premises at 9:45 am on Friday and was transported in a prison van, escorted by police, upon arrival, he raised his hands in appreciation to the crowd cheering outside the court.
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The bail decision comes after Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had, during the previous hearing, reserved judgment on the bail application until December 20 and ordered the activist’s continued detention in prison.
During the proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14 charges brought against him by the police.
His lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection, requesting the court to strike out the charges.
Olumide-Fusika argued that the charges were not legally recognized and that defamation was not an offence under the Ekiti State Criminal Law of 2021.
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