Drama In Court As Magistrate Claims Ruling On Farotimi’s Bail Application Is Missing

Human rights lawyer and writer Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail.

Osun Defender reports that Farotimi arrived at Ekiti Magistrate Court on Friday for a hearing of alleged defamation charges against him.

Security was heightened at the venue of the court, with operatives of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies present.

The human rights lawyer was arrested following a petition by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). Farotimi is accused of publishing defamatory statements in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” The court is set to rule on his bail application.

The charge suit, number MAD/1,476.C/2024, pits the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant against Farotimi as the defendant.

Meanwhile, there was a dramatic turn of events at the Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on Friday morning when the presiding magistrate claimed that the ruling on the bail application of prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, was missing.

The court was scheduled to deliver its ruling on Farotimi’s bail application, following his recent arrest after a petition by legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

However, to the shock of those present, the magistrate adjourned the hearing, stating that his ruling note could not be found.

SaharaReporters, quoting a source within the courtroom, reported that the magistrate expressed embarrassment over the development and temporarily adjourned the proceedings to search for the missing note.

“The magistrate said his ruling note is missing and for this, he’s taken a break,” the source said.

The delay has sparked outrage among supporters of Dele Farotimi, with notable human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, describing the incident as a display of judicial incompetence. In a series of tweets, Sowore alleged that the magistrate had earlier received a phone call during the delivery of the ruling, which led to an abrupt adjournment.

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“The Kangaroo magistrate expressed embarrassment for appearing in court without the ruling on @DeleFarotimi’s bail application, claiming it had been left at home, a truly astonishing turn of events today! #FreeDeleFarotimiNow,” Sowore tweeted.

Farotimi’s legal ordeal stems from allegations contained in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he reportedly accused Chief Afe Babalola and his associates of compromising the judiciary.

The charges against him, filed by the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, accuse him of authoring statements likely to cause public alarm and disturb the peace.

Despite the magistrate’s earlier indication that the bail application would be granted, Friday’s dramatic adjournment has left observers questioning the integrity of the court’s proceedings.

The case, marked suit no: MAD/1,476.C/2024, has continued to draw widespread attention due to its implications for freedom of speech and judicial accountability.

Supporters of Farotimi have called for an expedited resolution, with hashtags like #FreeDeleFarotimiNow trending across social media platforms. Sowore and other activists have vowed to keep the spotlight on the case until justice is served.