Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been freed from custody in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he was held for three weeks following his arrest on defamation charges.
Farotimi’s detention stemmed from a petition by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Aare Afe Babalola regarding claims in Farotimi’s book on Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
After a legal battle, the activist met the bail conditions set by the Chief Magistrate’s Court on December 20.
These included a N30 million payment, two sureties, and restrictions on public commentary.
His release was announced by Omoyele Sowore, who confirmed Farotimi’s return to Lagos.
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Writing under his confirmed X account @YeleSowore stated, “I am pleased to report that @DeleFarotimi Farotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti state and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues! Happy holidays to you all!”
Farotimi, a vocal supporter of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and a critic of the current administration, is also facing separate trials in Abuja and Ibadan on similar allegations.
An Ekiti Magistrate Court had granted him bail some days back but under certain conditions that delayed his immediate release.
Dele Farotimi ran into trouble with a powerful colleague and senior citizen, Afe Babalola after the latter accused Mr. Farotimi of criminal defamation in a book titled, Nigeria and it Criminal Justice System.
Subsequently, Mr. Babalola arranged with @NGPolice in Ekiti state to get Farotimi arrested in a Gestapo-like manner at his Lagos office by a group of policemen attached to the Ekiti State Police Command on December 3 and transported to Ado Ekiti.
Upon arrival and subsequent detention and arraignment at an Ekiti Magistrate Court, Mr. Farotimi’s ordeal began to unravel very rapidly.
Dele Farotimi was released this morning after meeting bail conditions.
