Peter Obi agrees to stand as surety for Dele Farotimi in defamation case
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to fulfill the bail conditions of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi was granted bail by an Ekiti Magistrate Court in a defamation case involving Afe Babalola on Friday.
The bail conditions require a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own a house), surrendering his passport, and refraining from granting media interviews.
READ ALSO: Court grants Dele Farotimi N30m bail in defamation case, imposes media restrictions
Peter Obi’s decision was announced by Tanko Yunusa, a former spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, in a statement shared on Friday via his X account.
According to him “I consulted His Excellency, Peter Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement. As a respecter of rule of law, due process, and order, he offered to take Dele Farotimi on the bail conditions,” Yunusa stated.
“His concern is that the situation be resolved in the best interest of all parties and our legal system. He extended his sincere appreciation to all concerned,” Yunusa added.
Farotimi’s bail comes amidst allegations of defamation brought against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. The case revolves around claims made in Farotimi’s book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” where he allegedly made defamatory statements about Babalola.
The Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, said Farotimi, should deposit his passport with the court, provide two responsible sureties who have a house in Ekiti State, adding that he must refrain from granting press interviews either from electronic or print media on the matter henceforth.
