Federal high court in Ekiti has granted bail to Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, in the amount of N50 million, with the requirement of one surety.
Gatekeepers News reports that presiding Judge Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi specified that the surety must present proof of two years’ tax clearance as well as a letter of consent from the bank. The court has scheduled the next trial date for January 29, 2025.
On Friday, the inspector-general of police filed a 12-count charge against Farotimi, focusing on allegations of cybercrime. He is accused of disseminating false information regarding Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), during an online interview.
Count one of the counts reads: “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxB…) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ wherein you stated in the interview that: ‘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 committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.”
Farotimi’s arrest occurred the previous Tuesday in Lagos, initiated by officers from the Ekiti State Police command, and was tied to a petition submitted by Babalola.
Following his arrest, Farotimi faced a 16-count charge of defamation at the Ekiti magistrate court, where he was subsequently remanded in custody while awaiting a hearing for his bail application, which is set for December 10.
