An Ekiti State Magistrate Court has granted bail to activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, under stringent conditions on Friday morning. The announcement was made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.
According to the bail conditions, Farotimi is required to provide a ₦30 million bond and two sureties, one of whom must own property. He is also mandated to surrender his passport and is prohibited from granting media interviews.
The court proceedings were marked by tension, with Sowore reporting that the magistrate and prosecutor expressed concerns over their safety due to the large crowd that gathered around the courthouse. This situation reportedly caused delays in the proceedings.
Adding to the drama, Sowore revealed that the court barred Olumide Fusika, SAN, the lead counsel for Farotimi, from further representation in the magistrate court. The decision sparked heated debates over the senior lawyer’s eligibility to appear in the case. During the deliberations, the magistrate purportedly stepped out to respond to a phone call, further delaying the process.
Farotimi’s bail application had faced significant delays since December 9. His case against the Inspector-General of Police, which was heard at the Ekiti Federal High Court on October 9, had initially seen him granted oral bail. However, the magistrate court declined to grant oral bail and adjourned the hearing to October 20, citing administrative issues.
Friday’s session also encountered logistical setbacks, with Sowore alleging that the magistrate left crucial documents relating to Farotimi’s bail ruling at home, leading to further delays before the bail was eventually approved.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with many criticizing the stringent bail conditions and procedural delays as reflective of a broader pattern of judicial inefficiency and alleged persecution of activists.
