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Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights advocate and author of the Amazon bestseller Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System: The Rot Within, has been granted bail under stringent conditions in a case that has sparked significant public interest.

The court set bail at ₦50 million, mandating a surety of equal value backed by landed property as collateral.

The case has been adjourned until January 29, 2025, according to activist Omoyele Sowore, who shared the details.

Farotimi faces charges related to his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System: The Rot Within, which allegedly includes statements deemed injurious to the reputation of 95-year-old legal icon Afe Babalola and his law firm.

The contested book, which gained widespread attention, accused Babalola and others in the legal profession of corruptly influencing Supreme Court decisions.

Prosecutors allege that these claims were false and argued that such assertions could damage reputations, instill public unrest, and disturb the peace.

Farotimi, a vocal critic of systemic injustices, has consistently denied the charges, framing them as an attempt to suppress free speech and silence dissenting voices.

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is,” wrote Farotimi in a recent statement, quoting Winston Churchill.

Supporters of Farotimi, citing his unwavering commitment to justice and reform, have mobilized under a social media campaign calling for his unconditional release.

Protests are set to take place on December 10, 2024, across key cities in Nigeria, including Lagos, Ekiti, Ibadan, Cross River, and Abuja, as well as internationally in Canada and London.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case has reignited debates about the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of individual reputations within Nigeria’s legal framework.

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