Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, delivering the judgment, cited Section 9 of the Magistrate's Courts Law, 2014, as the basis for the ruling, which effectively bans a Senior Advocate from representing Farotimi before the court.
The Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court on Friday ruled against human rights activist Dele Farotimi's defence lawyer, Yinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), prohibiting him from appearing for his client in the case.
Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, delivering the judgment, cited Section 9 of the Magistrate's Courts Law, 2014, as the basis for the ruling, which effectively bans a Senior Advocate from representing Farotimi before the court.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that heightened security presence was observed at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court on Friday morning as the Nigerian police deployed heavily armed Rapid Response Squad (RSS) operatives ahead of the highly anticipated ruling in the bail application of Farotimi.
Farotimi, who has been in Ekiti prison custody since December 4, is facing charges related to defamation.
SaharaReporters gathered that several human rights activists and civil rights organisations had gathered at the court to show solidarity for Farotimi.
The rallying supporters are calling for his release, citing concerns over his detention and health.
Magistrate Judge Abayomi Adeosun, who had earlier reserved his ruling on Farotimi's bail application, granted Farotimi N30 million bail on Friday.
The bail conditions compel Farotimi to submit his passport to the court and bars him from granting media interviews.