‘I’ve never lied against anyone’, says Farotimi after meeting bail conditions

Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, has been released from the correctional centre in Ekiti state after perfecting his bail conditions.

Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning.

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

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, had ruled that the two sureties must be “responsible citizens in the society”, and one of them must own a house within the jurisdiction of the court.

The defendant was asked to leave his international passport with the court.

Farotimi would also not grant media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The activist was arraigned on a 14-count charge bordering on alleged defamation. He pleaded not guilty.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

Farotimi is currently facing trial in two courts on charges bordering on the alleged defamation of Babalola.

On December 9, the 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.

‘I’VE NEVER LIED AGAINST ANYONE’

Speaking to his supporters shortly after his release, Farotimi said he has never lied against anyone in his work or in the public advocacy space.

The activist said the truth is the only weapon that can be used to change the country.

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