JUST-IN: Farotimi says he has never lied against anyone, after regaining freedom in defamation case

• Last Friday, a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi N30 million bail with two sureties.

Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights advocate, has regained his freedom after meeting the conditions for his release from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre.

Farotimi’s release came after a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti granted him bail last Friday, with two sureties required to guarantee his appearance in court.

Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun specified that the sureties must be respected members of society, with one required to own property within the court’s jurisdiction.

As part of his bail conditions, Farotimi was also required to surrender his international passport and refrain from engaging with the media while his trial is ongoing.

Farotimi is currently facing a 14-count charge of alleged defamation, with the police accusing him of “criminally defaming” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining his innocence throughout the ordeal.

In a separate case, Farotimi is facing 12 additional charges related to cybercrime, filed by the Inspector-General of Police.

He was granted ₦50 million bail in that case, with one surety required.

Upon his release, Farotimi addressed his supporters, reaffirming his commitment to truth and integrity in his advocacy work.

“In my public advocacy, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will simply say I don’t know,” he emphasized.

Farotimi stressed that truth remains the most effective tool for achieving meaningful change in Nigeria.