Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has finally been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State. But don’t celebrate too soon, he has to produce three sureties with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, submit his international passport, and, wait for it, avoid giving media interviews. Because, of course, freedom of speech is only for those who stay silent.
After spending over two weeks at the correctional center in Ado Ekiti, Farotimi arrived at court on Friday to a cheering crowd. Ever the optimist, he stepped out of the prison van, hands raised high in gratitude, as if to remind everyone that the fight isn’t over yet.
The case, arising from allegations that Farotimi defamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola, has drawn national attention. At the last sitting, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun had reserved the bail ruling and ordered Farotimi to remain in custody. According to Farotimi, the charges against him hold no water defamation is apparently not even recognized under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked alot of issues, across the nation, with some Nigerians accusing the government of using the judiciary to silence opposing voices. Civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the arrest, calling it a blatant attempt to repress dissent. Amnesty International Nigeria took to social media, demanding his immediate and unconditional release, declaring, “The Nigerian authorities must end the repression of dissent.”
Political icons like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Omoyele Sowore have also voiced their disapproval, with some suggesting the case has less to do with defamation and more to do with stifling political activism. Legal icon Femi Falana (SAN) wasn’t silent either, calling the arrest illegal and an embarrassment to justice.
Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge brought against him by the police. His lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, has filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to strike out the case entirely.
For now, Farotimi remains a symbol of resistance, standing firm in the face of what many see as a weaponized judiciary.
