MONDAY 9TH DECEMBER, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
FAROTIMI N50M BAIL BOND: CDHR COMMENDS THE JUDICIARY, FROWNS AT OUTRAGEOUS SURETY BAIL BOND
The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday 9th December granted the human rights lawyer and activist, Barrister Dele Farotimi bail in the sum of 50 million naira in respect of the suit filed against him by the Inspector General of Police over his involvement in cybercrimes activities in a suit case number, FHC/AD/CR/104/2024 alleging cybercrime activities.
The presiding Judge, Justice B. O. Kuewumi ruled that Farotimi be released on bail with conditions that included a 50 million naira surety and a guarantor possessing a landed property of equivalent value while adjourning the case to
January 29, 2025, for further hearing.
It was earlier reported that Farotimi raised an alarm of plot by the Police to arrest him few days ago.True to his allegation, the Police on Monday night whisked Farotimi away from his Lagos office and took him to Ekiti State where he was eventually arraigned for alleged criminal defamation against Chief Afe Babalola.
Reacting to the incident, the CDHR opined that the whisking away of the human right lawyer to Ado Ekiti in the first instance was uncalled for because the alleged offence was not committed in Ekiti. We believe that the Lagos state police command could have been allowed to handle the case and ensure that the prosecution of the activists be done in Lagos.
Moreover, Nigerian Police didn’t need to arrest and detain him since since the offence he was accused of was not violent neither was he declared a fugitive. His detention was unnecessary because there’s no evidence of prior invitation that he flouted, refused or declined to honour.
However, CDHR commends the judiciary for promptly granting him bail, even under difficult conditions. The organisation therefore calls for the downward review of the outrageous surety bail bond of 50 million naira. The CDHR as a consummate human rights organisation could not criticize the judiciary from performing its lawful duties since the allegation is a “criminal defamation”. In the same vein, the authorities should ensure that the trial is diligently pursued, open, transparent, fair, and humane. This is to ensure that justice is not only served, it should be seen by all and sundry to have been served. CDHR will continue to monitor the events as they unfold and reacts as the situation calls for.
E-Signed:
Comrade Debo Adeniran,
National President CDHR Nigeria.
Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka,
National Publicity Secretary CDHR Nigeria.
