…bemoans refusal to admit defendant to bail
By Ime Silas
Human Rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, Esq. has questioned the refusal of the trial magistrate to admit Dele Farotimi to bail, saying it’s questionable.
In a comment he posted on his verified social media handles in response to the ongoing trial of the author, Inibehe reasoned that the eyes of the Nigerian nation were upon Ekiti State Judiciary.
The fierce lawyer said “The refusal of the trial Magistrate to admit Dele Farotimi to bail today has aggravated the fears of those who are worried about him getting a fair trial in Ekiti State.
A Magistrate Court is a court of summary jurisdiction. The practice is that once a defendant is arraigned before a Magistrate, oral application for bail is usually made and bail should be granted to the defendant either on his or her self-recognizance or on such terms and conditions as the court may deem just.
“It is questionable that in this case, instead of admitting the defendant to bail after an application was made by his counsel, the Magistrate decided to adjourn the matter to 10th December, 2024 and insisted on a formal (written) application.
What is the basis for insisting on a formal application for bail in a case of defamation, particularly given that the defendant is a legal practitioner?
Defamation is a bailable offence.
Will Dele Farotimi get a fair trial in this case and in Ekiti State or has his fate been sealed already?
The eyes of the nation are upon the Ekiti State Judiciary”.