LAWAL HALIMAT 

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi bail in the sum of N50 million. The decision was shared by African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, who disclosed the development on his X handle on Monday.  

Farotimi’s bail conditions include a surety with landed property of equal value. The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025.  

The activist is facing 16 counts of criminal defamation following allegations stemming from his recently published book, *Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System*. In the book, Farotimi reportedly accused Aare Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, of influencing a Supreme Court judgment in a longstanding land dispute.  

Babalola’s legal team, in a petition dated November 19, 2024, described the accusations as baseless, insisting they were a smear on his reputation. Farotimi was arrested by Lagos State Police and transported to Ekiti for arraignment last Wednesday.  

Meanwhile, Sowore has described the trial as "farcical," urging the Ekiti State Attorney-General to withdraw the charges. The Take It Back Movement has also condemned Farotimi’s detention, accusing the police of unlawful conduct. Despite a directive from the Ekiti State Police Command banning protests, the movement plans to hold demonstrations across Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London, and Canada.  

Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the movement, criticized the police’s actions, stating that the ban on peaceful protests was illegal and unacceptable.  

Babalola’s legal team maintains that Farotimi must substantiate his claims to secure full exoneration. Farotimi’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti.