The Federal High Court in Ekiti has granted Dele Farotimi, a human rights activist, N50 million bail with one surety, following his arraignment on a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime.
The charges, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, stem from allegations of spreading false information against Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), during an online interview.
During the bail hearing on Monday, Justice Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, the presiding judge, stipulated that the surety must provide evidence of two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from their bank. The trial was adjourned to January 29, 2025.
The activist is accused of transmitting false information during an interview on the Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye, where he referenced his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. One of the charges reads:
“That you, Dele Farotimi ‘m’, on 28th August 2024, knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxB…) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, wherein you stated in the interview that: ‘Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary,’ which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing the breakdown of law and order, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 as amended.”
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos last Tuesday by officers attached to the Ekiti State Police Command after a petition was filed by Babalola.
He was subsequently arraigned on a 16-count charge of alleged defamation and cyberbullying at the Ekiti Magistrate Court, which ordered his remand in prison custody pending a hearing of his bail application scheduled for December 10.
