From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

The Federal High Court in Ado- Ekiti has granted a N50 million bail to human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi over alleged 12-count charge of criminal defamation.

Farotimi’s trial came on the heels of his alleged defamation of a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, in his recently published book, titled, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

Farotimi was last week arraigned before a Magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, over the petition written against him by the legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, on the alleged defamation

The Inspector General of Police,. Kayode Egbetokun, IGP, had filed the suit.

He, however, filed a fresh suit marked FHC/AD/CR/104/2024 against Farotimi before the Federal High Court over a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

At the hearing on Monday, Justice Babs Kuewumi disagreed with the prosecutor, Samson Osubu who argued for the court not to grant bail to the defendant as moved by his counsel.

Justice Kuewumi in his ruling, granted the defendant a N50 million bail with one surety in like sum who must be resident in Ekiti.

The court also ordered that the defendant must submit his international passport to the court and adjourned the case till January 29, 2025 for commencement of hearing.

One of the counsels to Farotimi, Ralph Nwoke, commended the court for granting the defendant bail, adding that the team would do everything possible to perfect the bail conditions towards ensuring his release.

Nwoke, said that the prosecuting team served the defence counsel with a fresh suit different from the one earlier filed on Friday against Farotimi.