Magistrate court denies bail to Dele Farotimi

 

The Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has denied bail to human rights activist Dele Farotimi in a case filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged cybercrime

Farotimi was arraigned for allegedly defaming Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

During Tuesday’s court hearing, Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun postponed the bail application ruling to December 20 after police counsel Samson Osobu argued that the defendant’s application was incomplete and improperly filed.This decision contradicts a Federal High Court ruling in Ado-Ekiti, which had granted Farotimi bail on Monday.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and transported to Ekiti, where he appeared before the Magistrate Court. He was charged with defamation related to statements in his book Nigeria And Its Criminal Justice System, where he alleged Babalola had compromised the Supreme Court. The court ordered Farotimi’s remand at the state’s correctional center.

His arrest has sparked widespread criticism. Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, called for Farotimi’s immediate release, stating on X, “The Nigerian police cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores. We will no longer tolerate such actions.”

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana also condemned the arrest, calling it illegal and demanding Farotimi’s unconditional release.

The police defended their actions, claiming Farotimi had ignored prior invitations to appear before them and citing cyberbullying and defamation as reasons for his detention