The federal high court in Ekiti has granted Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, N50 million bail with one surety.

On Monday, the court asked the surety to provide evidence of two years’ tax clearance, land document and a letter of authorisation from the telecommunication operator.

The 2023 African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, announced the development on his X (Twitter) handle on Monday.

Sowore stated that Farotimi was granted N50 million bail with a surety in the same amount, who must provide landed property as collateral.

The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025.

Last Tuesday, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and brought to Ado-Ekiti to face trial for allegedly defaming renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) in his book titled, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ .

Farotimi had alleged in the book that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his clients.

Farotimi outlined 10 claims in the foreword of his book, alleging corruption and malpractice involving Babalola, his law firm, and other legal professionals.

Meanwhile, the Police, Ekiti State command, on Friday, filed fresh charges against Dele Farotimi.

The fresh 12-count charge filed before a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti borders on cybercrime allegations.

The charge 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 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.”

Meanwhile, the Police, Ekiti State command, on Friday, filed fresh charges against Dele Farotimi.

The fresh 12-count charge filed before a federal high court in Ado-Ekiti borders on cybercrime allegations.

The charge 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 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.”

Vanguard