Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, will remain in custody for another 10 days after a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, denied him bail on Tuesday.
Farotimi is facing trial for allegedly defaming the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
READ ALSO: Dele Farotimi granted N50m bail
In the book, Farotimi accused Aare Afe Babalola of corrupting the judiciary and manipulating the Supreme Court to obtain a fraudulent judgment in favor of his clients. The prosecution initially filed a 16-count charge against Farotimi, which was later amended to 14 counts.
Farotimi’s legal team, led by Mr. Taiwo Adedeji, had requested that the court grant bail, but the prosecution, represented by Samson Osobu, opposed the application, stating that the defendant was not eligible for bail.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeogun ruled that Farotimi should be returned to the correctional facility and adjourned the case until December 20, 2024.
This ruling comes just one day after a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi bail in the sum of N50 million, with the next hearing scheduled for January 29, 2025.
