A Magistrate Court in Ekiti State, Nigeria, has granted human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi bail set at ₦30 million. Farotimi, who had been held in a correctional facility in Ado Ekiti, appeared in court on Friday morning amidst a cheering crowd.
Arriving at the court premises around 9:45 a.m. in a prison van escorted by police, Farotimi stepped out, raising his hands in appreciation of his supporters.
The presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, reserved the ruling on his bail application during the last sitting, before delivering the decision on Friday. Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge brought against him by the police.
Farotimi’s legal counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection seeking to dismiss the charges, which include alleged offenses not publicly disclosed. Further court proceedings are expected to address the objections raised by the defense.
The case has drawn significant attention from legal and activist communities, with many calling for a fair trial.
