Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has been released from the Ekiti State correctional facility after meeting the conditions for his bail. His release took place on Tuesday morning
Farotimi was granted bail last Friday by an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court, set at ₦30 million, with two sureties. Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun stipulated that the sureties must be “responsible citizens,” with one owning property within the court’s jurisdiction. As part of the conditions, Farotimi was also required to surrender his international passport and refrain from granting media interviews while the case is pending.
The activist faces a 14-count charge of alleged defamation, which he denied during his arraignment. The charges stem from claims that Farotimi “criminally defamed” Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in his book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
In addition to this case, Farotimi is also facing trial in a federal high court on related charges. On December 9, he was granted bail in the amount of ₦50 million with one surety, following a 12-count charge of cybercrime filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
