Alleged Defamation: Netizen Reacts to Farotimi Case, Slam FHC on N50m Bail

By: Kehinde Adeleye

Netizens have taken to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to slam the Federal High Court ruling in Ekiti on the ongoing defamation suit between Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) and Dele Farotimi, Human rights lawyer.

Recall that Ekohotblog reported that Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and brought to Ado-Ekiti to face trial for allegedly defaming renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD in his book titled, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• PDP Declares Ethiope East Federal Seat Vacant Following Ibori-Suenu’s Defection to APC
• Retired Principals Call for Recognition and Better Welfare from Government
• BREAKING: IGP Egbetokun Orders Major Shake-Up, Deploys New AIG to Lagos FCID Annex

However, netizens have expressed dissatisfaction with the bail condition, stating that it’s too stringent since it’s not a criminal but a civil case.
Chima Schedule wrote, ‘Breaking: Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail, adjourns suit to January 2025′.
So I asked, what is the N50 million for please?’

The Rabbi of Poetry wrote, “this is preposterous. What crime has he committed that requires a 50M fine?
One day this river will overflow, and there will be no where else to go.”

Damilare Odulesi wrote, “Breaking: Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail. Lawyers, please explain this Will he pay or this is just for him not to run away?”

Yagazie of Enugu wrote: “This is Nigeria, where criminals are revered and truth-bearers are chastised! #FailedState Dele Farotimi N50m #FreeDeleFarotimiNow”

FURTHER READING

• Ensure Available Of Naira Notes Nationwide -Shettima Tasks Banks
• Alleged Mass Killings: NHRC Seeks Justice For Victims
• Federal Government Allocates N700bn for Free Meter Distribution

Nemechi wrote, ‘Dele Farotimi N50m bail conditions, Yahaya Bello prancing about freely. The legal system in Nigeria has truly gone to the dogs. #FreeDeleFarotimiNow”

Ekohotblog gathered that the bail condition was announced by Omoyele Sowore on his X handle on Monday, which states that ‘He was granted a bail of N50 million and surety in like sum, which must be resident in Ekiti State with a landed property, including the travel passport of the defendant, should be submitted at the court.

Here’s the video of the week: