Activist Dele Farotimi Granted N50 Million Bail Over Cybercrime Allegations

Human rights activist Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, following his arraignment on charges of cyberstalking. The court set stringent bail conditions, including a bond of ₦50 million and a surety who must meet specific requirements.

The surety is mandated to be a resident of Ekiti State, provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, and own a built-up property within the state. The property’s title deed must be deposited with the court registrar. Both the surety and Farotimi are required to submit four recent passport photographs and four full-length pictures. Additionally, Farotimi must surrender his international passport to the court.

Farotimi was arrested on Tuesday in Lagos by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command. His detention sparked controversy and drew criticism from human rights groups. Initially arraigned on defamation charges at the Ekiti State Magistrate Court, the case was subsequently amended to cybercrime-related allegations.

The charges stem from claims that Farotimi spread false information about prominent legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, during an online interview. The alleged cyberstalking incident has fuelled public discourse about freedom of expression and the use of cybercrime laws to address defamation allegations.

The court has scheduled the trial to resume on January 29, 2025. Farotimi’s legal team has expressed confidence in his innocence and readiness to challenge the charges in court. Meanwhile, his arrest and arraignment continue to stir debates about the balance between protecting reputations and safeguarding free speech in Nigeria.

Human rights advocates and supporters of Farotimi have called for a fair trial and urged the judiciary to ensure that the case does not set a precedent for suppressing dissenting voices.