Court Grants Dele Farotimi N50m Bail After His Remand For Defaming Afe Babalola

Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in a defamation lawsuit filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, announced the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Sowore revealed that Farotimi was granted bail set at N50 million, with the condition of a surety of equal value, backed by a landed property.

Sowore tweeted, “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The case was adjourned to January 29, 2025.”

In another post, Sowore criticized the ongoing trial, describing it as a “farcical” process.

He noted that proceedings would continue at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti the following day for what he called “over a non-existent offence in Ekiti law books.”

“We’ve asked the Attorney-General of Ekiti State to discontinue the trial immediately,” Sowore added.

Dele Farotimi’s legal troubles began on December 7, 2024, when he was remanded in prison by the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court following his arrest on charges of criminal defamation.

The accusations stem from claims in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”, where he allegedly criticized Afe Babalola over a long-standing Supreme Court land dispute judgment.