Court adjourns Farotimi’s bail ruling to December 20 as he returns to prison

Abdullateef Fowewe

A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has reserved ruling on the bail application from human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The judge, Abayomi Adeosun, deferred ruling on the application to December 20, which means Farotimi will remain in prison custody until the next hearing.

During the court proceedings, the 16-count charge earlier filed by the police against the activist was reduced to 14, of which Farotimi pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the 14-count charge.

Before Tuesday’s proceedings, Farotimi, through his counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

The preliminary objection was anchored on five grounds.

The activist argued that the charge before the court is unknown to law and the court is acting without jurisdiction against an incompetent charge.

The activist also averred that the offence of defamation is not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Farotimi is currently facing trial in two courts on charges bordering on the alleged defamation of Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria.

Dailyeconomy reported that on Monday, December 9, a federal high court in Ekiti granted Farotimi N50 million bail with one surety, following a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime filed by the inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, the presiding judge, adjourned the trial to January 29, 2025.

Farotimi was arrested on Tuesday, December 3, in Lagos by officers attached to the Ekiti police command, over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.