Members of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere have visited the detained human rights activist Dele Farotimi at the Medium Security Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The organisation’s deputy secretary-general Alade Rotimi-John announced this in a statement on Friday.
Mr Rotimi-John said: “On behalf of their National Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the National Caucus Leaders of Afenifere paid a solidarity visit to Mr. Dele Farotimi, who is a member of the National Caucus of Afenifere, at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre to deliver a private message from Chief Adebanjo and to enquire about his wellbeing.”
The statement faulted the handling of Farotimi’s case by a Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti, saying refusing him bail was unjust.
It added: “Afenifere will wait to consider its next line of action after the ruling of the Chief Magistrate on December 20.”
Among the delegation that visited Farotimi were Supo Shonibare, Basorun Segun Sanni, Nike Olujembola, Toyin Falade, Pastor Olayemi Olajuyinnu and Tunde Babarinde.
The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Tuesday adjourned Farotimi’s bail application till December 20, 2024.
He was arrested in Lagos following a defamation petition filed by senior lawyer Afe Babalola and was arraigned last Wednesday before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun who ordered his remand in a correctional facility pending hearing on December 10.
On Monday, the police arraigned Farotimi at a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti. The court granted him bail under stringent conditions, including a N50 million bond and a surety of equal value who must reside in Ekiti State and own landed property. Additionally, Farotimi was required to surrender his travel passport to the court.
