The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has granted lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, bail in the sum of N50 million.

The court’s decision was announced by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, via his X handle on Monday.

Sowore wrote, “The first hurdle was crossed. #DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million with a surety in like sum, with someone holding landed property. The case has been adjourned to January 29, 2025.”

In a separate tweet, Sowore called Farotimi’s trial “farcical,” adding that the case would continue the next day at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, despite being based on a non-existent offense under Ekiti law.

He also urged the Attorney-General of Ekiti State to discontinue the trial immediately.

Farotimi was remanded in prison custody on December 7, 2024, after being arrested on 16 counts of criminal defamation, following the publication of his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The book allegedly defamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Aare Afe Babalola, accusing him of corruption in a long-standing land dispute case.

Farotimi’s arrest led to protests organized by the Take It Back Movement, which plans demonstrations in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, London, and Canada.

Despite a ban on public gatherings in Ekiti, the movement has insisted on proceeding with their planned actions, claiming the police have no legal authority to prevent peaceful protests.

Babalola’s legal team has stated that Farotimi will only regain his freedom if he can substantiate his allegations against the respected elder statesman.