A magistrate’s court in Ado-Ekiti announced bail terms for activist Dele Farotimi that included a deposit of N30 million and two sureties with houses or similar assets. 

The court also imposed a gag order on Mr Farotimi, who has been in detention since he was seized from his Lagos home by the police on a defamation complaint from senior lawyer Afe Babalola earlier this month.

Mr Farotimi’s case has continued to draw nationwide and international uproar, with many citing it as the most egregious abuse of power under President Bola Tinubu, who promised to respect constitutional rights as president. 

Mr Farotimi was rolled into court by a large contingent of police and other security forces on Friday morning, and the decision to grant him bail came within an hour after the matter was called. 

The activist, whose book on Mr Babalola’s corrupt influence on the Nigerian judiciary has made a global bestseller, was also ordered to submit his passport as part of the bail conditions, which other social critics, including Omoyele Sowore, have condemned.

Details soon…