The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, is set to hear a case involving legal luminary Afe Babalola and Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
The case stems from claims that sections of Farotimi’s 104-page book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice, defamed Babalola. Following a petition by Babalola, the police were prompted to take action against Farotimi.
On Monday, the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti granted bail to Farotimi, who had earlier been arraigned by the police in Ekiti State on charges of cybercrime related to defamation. The charges followed his arrest in Lagos and subsequent arraignment last Wednesday before the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had initially ordered Farotimi’s remand in a correctional facility, adjourning the case to December 10 (today) for the hearing of his bail application. At the bail hearing, Farotimi was granted bail set at ₦50 million with a surety of the same amount. The surety must be a resident of Ekiti State with landed property, and Farotimi was also required to submit his travel passport to the court.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore had announced plans for protests on December 10, 2024, in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, and King’s College, London. However, as of this morning, the protest in Ado-Ekiti had yet to commence.
