Dele Farotimi returns to prison as court adjourns bail ruling to December 20

A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has reserved ruling on the bail application from Dele Farotimi, human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, deferred ruling on the application to December 20.

The ruling means that Farotimi will remain in prison custody until the next hearing.

During the court proceedings, the 16-count charge earlier filed by the police against the activist was reduced to 14.

Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge.

Before Tuesday’s proceedings, Farotimi, through his counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.

The preliminary objection was anchored on five grounds.

The activist argued that the charge before the court is unknown to law and that the court was acting without jurisdiction.

The activist also averred that the offence of defamation is not recognised by the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.

Farotimi is currently facing trial in two courts on charges bordering on the alleged defamation of Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria.

On Monday, a 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.

Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, the presiding judge, adjourned the trial to January 29, 2025.

Last Tuesday, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers attached to the Ekiti police command, over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.