Cybercrime: Federal High Court Grants Dele Farotimi N50m Bail

THE Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, granted N50 million bail to human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, after the police filed charges against him over allegations of cybercrime.

Justice Babs O. Kuewumi, presiding over the court on Monday, December 9, 2024, ruled that Farotimi be released on bail with conditions that included a N50 million surety and a guarantor possessing a landed property of equivalent value.

The case, with suit number FHC/AD/CR/104/2024, was filed by the Inspector-General of Police, alleging cybercrime activities linked to Farotimi.

However, Justice Kuewumi adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.

SaharaReporters had last Friday reported that the Nigerian police filed fresh charges against Farotimi, before the Federal High Court In Ado-Ekiti, over allegations of cybercrime.

The state police command had made the filing in a plot to frustrate the human rights lawyer’s bail application and keep him in remand.

Also speaking on the Monday’s court sitting, human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, said, “The first hurdle was crossed. @DeleFarotimi was granted bail of N50 million naira surety in the like sum with someone with landed property. The Case was Adjourned to 29 January 2025. #FreeDeleFarotimiNow”

Farotimi, known for his advocacy for justice and good governance, had appeared before the court on Wednesday following charges brought against him by Age Babalola SAN under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

The police filed 12 fresh counts charges against Farotimi, according to court documents seen by SaharaReporters.

Some of the counts read, “That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxBfZCOA) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” wherein you stated in the interview that: “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary” which you know to be false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

“COUNT II: That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 28th August 2024 knowingly and intentionally transmitted communication in an online interview on Mic On Podcast by Seun Okinbaloye on your Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USuxBfZCQA) in respect of a book authored and published by you titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” wherein you stated in the interview that “Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the judiciary” with the intention of bullying and harassing the named persons thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 (a) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

“COUNT III: That you Dele Farotimi ‘m’ on 2nd December, 2024 intentionally sent a message in the course of a press conference held on Online on your YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k6HzdQXLEK) where you stated that: “It came to my knowledge that there is a charge preferred before a court in Ekiti State against me at the instance of Chief Afe Babalola.”

The Nigerian police had arraigned Farotimi, before an Ekiti State court over allegations of cybercrime.

SaharaReporters saw 16 charges filed by the police prosecutor on Wednesday.