By Joy Yesufu
Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, has been granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State.
The bail, set at ₦30 million, comes with strict conditions, including the provision of two sureties one of whom must own property, and a submission of his international passport.
The activist who is standing trial for writing a controversial book on legal icon, Afe Babalola (SAN) and the judiciary is prohibited from granting media interviews.
Farotimi, who had been remanded in custody since December 7, appeared in court on Friday under tight security.
His arrest followed a petition filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, alleging defamatory remarks made in Farotimi’s book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
The court ruling underscores the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and defamation laws in Nigeria, as activists and legal professionals weigh in on the broader implications of Farotimi’s case.
His arrest has provoked significant backlash across Nigeria, with civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association calling for his immediate release.
