Dele Farotimi, a renowned human rights lawyer, has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court, with the bail set at ₦50 million.
The court also stipulated that a surety must post an equal amount and possess landed property.
The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.
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Farotimi’s legal troubles stem from a defamation lawsuit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Babalola, 95, accuses Farotimi of making defamatory remarks in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which he claims damaged his reputation.
In connection with the suit, the Ekiti State Police arrested Farotimi, sparking a wave of criticism from civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Both have condemned the arrest, asserting that it undermines free speech and raises serious concerns about the state of justice in Nigeria.
