Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been sent back to prison after a court hearing in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with the ruling on his bail adjourned to December 20, 2024. Farotimi faces a defamation lawsuit filed by Afe Babalola, sparking widespread calls for his release.
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has been sent back to prison following the adjournment of his bail application hearing in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Farotimi, who had appeared in court on Tuesday, was arrested in Lagos by the Ekiti State Police Command earlier in the year due to a defamation lawsuit filed by prominent lawyer, Afe Babalola.
During the hearing, the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti postponed the decision on Farotimi’s bail request until December 20, 2024, leaving him in custody for an additional 10 days. Farotimi had arrived at the court under heavy police escort, with officials from the correctional center accompanying him.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, a close ally of Farotimi, took to social media to announce the news, expressing his dissatisfaction over the ongoing legal proceedings. Sowore also criticized the situation, stating that Farotimi had been sent back to prison as a consequence of what he described as his "begging" efforts.
In addition to the legal proceedings, the case has sparked a wave of protests from human rights groups, political activists, and public figures. These groups are calling for the immediate release of Farotimi, with many expressing concerns about his safety and the fairness of the ongoing trial. Farotimi’s supporters continue to rally around him, demanding justice and an end to what they consider to be politically motivated persecution.
