A Federal High Court in Ekiti has granted bail to Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, in the sum of N50 million with one surety.
The surety must provide two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from a bank, according to Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, the presiding judge.
Farotimi, who arrived at the court in handcuffs wearing a pink shirt, is facing a 12-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
The charges center on allegations of cybercrime, including spreading false information against Aare Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), during an online interview.
In the courtroom, Judge Kuewumi stated, “The surety must provide credible evidence of two years’ tax clearance and a valid letter of consent from their bank before this bail can be executed.”
The case arose from an August 28, 2024, interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye. In the interview, Farotimi allegedly accused Babalola of corrupting the judiciary. One of the charges against him reads:
“That you, Dele Farotimi, on 28th August 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview…wherein you stated…‘Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary,’ which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing the breakdown of law and order, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.”
The activist was initially arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command following a petition by Babalola.
He was subsequently arraigned on a 16-count charge at an Ekiti magistrate court for defamation, where he was remanded in prison custody pending his bail application hearing on December 10.
The trial at the Federal High Court has been adjourned to January 29, 2025. Farotimi continues to deny the allegations, maintaining that his comments were an exercise of his right to free speech.
