Dele Farotimi remains in prison as court sets bail hearing for December 20

Justice Abayomi Adeosun of the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti has adjourned the bail hearing for human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi to December 20, 2024.

Farotimi, who faces 16 counts of alleged defamation against legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment last week.

The charges were triggered after claims made in Farotimi’s book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which Babalola alleged defamed his character.

During Tuesday’s hearing, prosecuting counsel Samson Osobu opposed the appearance of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, citing a July 2024 Court of Appeal judgment restricting SANs from representing clients in Magistrate Courts.

Olumide-Fusika, however, argued that Ekiti State’s Magistrate Court law permits all legal practitioners to appear in criminal cases, urging the court to disregard the prosecutor’s objection.

Justice Adeosun deferred ruling on the prosecutor’s argument to review the referenced judgment. Pending the decision, the Senior Advocate stepped down, and Barrister Taiwo Adedeji continued the defense.

The court ordered Farotimi’s remand in prison custody while awaiting the bail application hearing on December 20.