Defamation: Farotimi gets N50m bail, to submit passport

The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, granted bail to lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, in the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, against him over alleged cybercrime.

The IGP had on Friday filed 12 counts bordering on cybercrime against Farotimi, based on an interview granted over the defendant’s book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,’ as it concerns the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola.

The case was heard by Justice Babs Kuewumi.

Recall that the police in Ekiti State had, following a petition written by Babalola, arrested Farotimi in Lagos last Tuesday and arraigned him before an Ekiti State Magistrates Court in Ado Ekiti last Wednesday on charges bordering on defaming the elder statesman.

The magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered Farotimi’s remand in prison custody while he adjourned till December 10 (today) to hear his bail application.

A member of Farotimi’s defence team at the Federal High Court, Ralph Nwoke, who confirmed the bail, said, “We got the hint this morning (Monday) that they were bringing Dele Farotimi to the court this morning and since we are already in the Ado Ekiti, we immediately rushed down to the court.

“They served us a new charge in court that was filed this morning, substituting the one that was filed on Friday last week. Our team moved an oral bail application and he was granted bail.

“He was granted a bail of N50m and surety in like sum, which must be resident in Ekiti State with a landed property, including the travel passport of the defendant should be submitted at the court.

“Our client has been taken to the custodian centre, while we are working on perfecting these conditions to get him out hopefully any moment from now,” he said.

Another member of the defence team, Ayodele Ademiluyi, said the charges preferred against Farotimi in the amended 12 counts “bordered majorly on disseminating online information that can cause a breakdown of law and order. Upon the charge being read to him, he pleaded not guilty.”

Ademiluyi said while the defence team lead counsel, Prof. Sylvester Emiri (SAN), gave a very eloquent application for Farotimi’s bail, the police counsel, Mr Samson Osobu, opposed the application vehemently, but despite the vehement opposition, he was granted bail.

“We are working round the clock to meet all these bail conditions for Mr Farotimi to be free. We benefitted from the very benevolent jurisdiction of the court in granting us bail in that regard.

“We are having another day before the Magistrates Court tomorrow (Tuesday). The quest for justice continues,” he said.

Ademiluyi disagreed with the position held by Babalola’s lawyers that defamation is a crime in Ekiti as he said, “It is our contention that the criminal law of Ekiti State does not have any charge or offence known as criminal defamation.

“You recollect that that was the charge before the Magistrate Court and we are contending that vociferously before the Magistrates’ Court tomorrow,” the lawyer said.

Meanwhile, a group, the Justice for Afe Babalola Legacy, on Monday, called for justice for the elder statesman in the defamation issue in court.

JABL Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa, said at a press conference in Ado Ekiti, “We demand justice for Afe Babalola, a man whose character has been maligned in the book.

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“We don’t want a situation where our icon will be stained and nothing will be done about it. Let Dele Farotimi provide evidence of his allegations that Afe Babalola corrupted the Justices of the Supreme Court or face the music.

“We want to correct the misinformation out there. We want to put the record straight that Afe Babalola is not victimising him; he was duly arrested by the police and properly arraigned before a court. We want the facts interrogated,” Opeyeoluwa said.

Meanwhile, a community leader and the Olotin of Ado Ekiti, Chief Michael Osaloni, who spoke at the press conference, cautioned those planning to stage a protest on Tuesday to steer clear of Ekiti.

Osaloni said, “Only a man of feeble mind will point accusing fingers at Aare Afe Babalola and I am highly disappointed in the position of some people.

“Those planning to protest are advised to steer clear of Ekiti as they will not like the outcome. They should, in their own interest, shelve it or else face the consequences,” the community leader said.