Dele Farotimi Released on Bail After Defamation Charges, Vows to Continue Fight for Truth

 

Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has been released from a correctional facility in Ekiti State after fulfilling his bail conditions. He was freed on Tuesday morning.

Last Friday, a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, granted Farotimi bail under specific conditions. These included a N30 million bond, two sureties—one of whom must be a property owner—a requirement to submit his passport, and a prohibition on granting media interviews after his release.

In a statement to the media following his release, Farotimi emphasized that he had never lied about anyone in his life. He maintained that all his statements about individuals or institutions were based on truth.

"It is never an easy journey when you are fighting evil, but years ago, before I started this work, God told me that truth is enough. It is the only weapon capable of slaying the monster called Nigeria. In my battle against this evil empire Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has been released from a correctional facility in Ekiti State after fulfilling his bail conditions. He was freed on Tuesday morning.

Recall that Farotimi published a book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System on July 2. The book sparked controversy when legal expert Afe Babalola accused Farotimi of defamation, leading to his arrest on December 3. Farotimi was apprehended at his office in Lagos by officers from the Ekiti State Police Command and subsequently transported to Ekiti State.

Babalola's legal team filed the defamation charges against Farotimi in an Ekiti State Magistrate Court. Additionally, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, brought 12 more charges against Farotimi in an Ekiti Federal High Court on December 6.

Farotimi faced charges related to defamation and cyberbullying, stemming from allegations in his book. According to the police, the book accused Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) of corrupting Justices of the Supreme Court. I have never lied about anyone. If I don't know something, I say I don't know," Farotimi said.