Dele Farotimi regains freedom after meeting bail conditions, addresses supporters

Human rights advocate Dele Farotimi has been released from the Ekiti State Correctional Centre after fulfilling his bail conditions.

Farotimi’s release on Tuesday morning followed a ruling by the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti last Friday, which granted him bail set at ₦30 million. Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun mandated that the bail conditions include two responsible sureties, one of whom must own property within the court’s jurisdiction.

As part of the conditions, Farotimi also surrendered his international passport and was prohibited from granting media interviews during his trial.

The activist is facing a 14-count charge of alleged defamation, with the police accusing him of “criminally defaming” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

In a separate matter before the Federal High Court in Ekiti, Farotimi faces 12 additional charges of alleged cybercrime filed by the Inspector-General of Police. He was previously granted bail of ₦50 million in that case, requiring one surety.

‘I’VE NEVER LIED AGAINST ANYONE’

Addressing his supporters after his release, Farotimi reaffirmed his integrity and dedication to truth in his advocacy work.

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

Farotimi emphasized that truth remains the most effective tool for achieving meaningful change in Nigeria.