Human rights activist Dele Farotimi was granted bail on Monday by a Federal High Court in Ekiti, with the presiding judge, Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, setting the sum at ₦50 million. The court stipulated that the surety must provide evidence of two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from their bank.
Farotimi, who appeared in court handcuffed and wearing a pink shirt, faces a 12-count charge filed by the inspector-general of police. The charges include cybercrime, stemming from allegations that he spread false information about Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola during an online interview.
One charge accuses Farotimi of intentionally transmitting false communication during an interview on August 28, 2024, claiming that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary.” The police allege this statement, tied to Farotimi’s book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” was aimed at causing public unrest, violating Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015.
Farotimi was arrested last Tuesday in Lagos following a petition by Babalola and arraigned at an Ekiti magistrate court on a 16-count defamation charge. The magistrate court ordered his remand in prison custody, pending his bail hearing on December 10.
This high-profile case has sparked discussions about freedom of expression, defamation laws, and the use of the Cybercrimes Act in Nigeria. The trial is set to continue on January 29, 2025, drawing significant public attention to the intersection of activism and legal restrictions in the country.
