• Obi Offers To Fulfill Bale Conditions 
The Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has granted bail to a human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, in the alleged defamation suit against him by the police.

Recall that Farotimi was arrested on December 3, 2024, in Lagos by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command over allegations of defamation.

He was accused, in a 14-count charge, of defaming a 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’ where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment in the service of his clients.

During the proceedings on Friday, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, while granting the bail application by the defence counsel, said the offence of defamation preferred against Farotimi is bailable despite taking note of the issues raised by the prosecuting counsel.

He ordered that Farotimi must provide a N30 million bond with two sureties who are responsible citizens of the country with one of them being a house owner in Ado-Ekiti.

The court, which ordered Farotimi to submit his international passport to the registrar, also barred him from granting media interviews or making comments on the issue pending the determination of the substantive suit in the court.

The head of the defence counsel, Adejare Kembi, informed the court that the defendant’s international passport had been dropped at the Federal High Court earlier as part of his bail conditions on a different suit on an alleged cybercrime against him.

The magistrate ruled that the defence team should provide a written document from the Registrar of the Federal High Court confirming the receipt of the passport.

He said: “I have taken note of the fear of the prosecution counsel that he is a flight risk and I have balanced it with the fact that the alleged offence is still a bailable one and I decided to grant the application on the promise that the defendant will promptly appear for the case.

“Bail is therefore granted to the defendant on the following conditions: N30 million bond, the defendant shall produce two sureties who should be responsible individuals in the Nigerian society, one of which must be a house owner in the metropolis of Ado-Ekiti.

“He shall submit his international passport and refrain from media interviews or comments whatsoever whether in the electronic or print media during the course of the case.”

Before adjourning the trial till February 13, 2025, Adeosun ruled on the pending application on the appearance of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, for the defendant in the court.

Citing the principle of judicial precedent relating to the judgment of Ibadan Division of the Appeal Court on the case between Commissioner of Police and Bamgboye, the court ruled that senior lawyers are not permitted to appear at the Magistrate Court.

Speaking with newsmen, Kembi commended the ruling on the bail application.

He said the defence team would work towards perfecting the bail conditions in record time for the defendant to be released from prison custody.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement globally, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has announced that former presidential candidate and leader of the movement, Mr. Peter Obi, has offered to fulfill the bail conditions for Farotimi.

In a statement on Friday, the coordinator said Obi expressed gratitude to the courts and all parties involved in the matter. He called for a resolution in the best interest of the legal system and all stakeholders.

“His Excellency extends his sincere appreciation to all concerned and emphasises the importance of respecting the rule of law as a cornerstone of our democracy,” the statement read.