Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court in a defamation case.
The court set bail at N50 million, requiring a surety with equivalent property value to secure Farotimi’s release.
Farotimi’s case arose after Senior Advocate Afe Babalola accused him of defaming him in a book published recently.
Babalola, 95, filed the defamation suit, leading to Farotimi’s arrest by Ekiti State Police operatives earlier this week.
The arrest sparked national outrage, with civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association demanding Farotimi’s immediate release.
Human rights organizations expressed concerns over the increasing criminalization of free speech and the legal challenges against activists.
Farotimi’s bail conditions require the surety to provide proof of landed property ownership as part of the proceedings.
The court has adjourned the matter to January 29, 2025, for further hearings, keeping the case ongoing.
This case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting tensions between legal authorities and activists challenging corruption in Nigeria.
Farotimi’s legal team vows to challenge the defamation charges, insisting they are politically motivated and intended to silence dissent.
