Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been released from the Ado-Ekiti custodial center, where he had been detained for weeks over an alleged defamation case.

Farotimi’s release on Tuesday morning follows his successful completion of the bail process.

The lawyer had been arrested following a defamation claim made by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

Despite being granted bail on multiple occasions, Farotimi remained incarcerated until now.

Farotimi was granted bail on December 9, 2024, by Justice Babs O. Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, in connection with cybercrime charges filed by the Nigeria Police.

However, his release had been delayed by bureaucratic challenges involving the verification of surety documents from banks and government agencies.

The verification process was completed last Friday, but further delays were caused as the judge had not yet signed off on the required documents, preventing the prison authorities from releasing him.

In addition, the Ekiti Magistrate Court, which also granted bail on December 20, 2024, had not completed all necessary formalities before the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, departed the court, further postponing Farotimi’s release.

Farotimi is facing charges in two courts related to an alleged defamation of Afe Babalola.

The Federal High Court granted him bail of N50 million, with one surety, on the cybercrime charges.

This decision came after the Inspector-General of Police filed a 12-count charge against him.

The magistrate court in Ekiti granted a separate bail of N30 million on December 20, 2024, with two sureties required, and Farotimi was also instructed to surrender his passport.

Furthermore, he was barred from granting media interviews.

A relative of one of the victims, Uju Udoka, shared a heartbreaking account, saying, “I lost a sister, who was a nursing mother to the incident. She left her baby to quickly go and share the palliatives. Unfortunately, she ended up not coming back home. It is something that the community has been benefiting from the foundation every year. It’s unfortunate that this year’s edition turned out to be like this due to impatience.”

“Some people were fortunate to enter the venue without any problem and they benefitted from the rice shared. Despite what happened, some people still benefitted,” she added.

An eyewitness, Nnamdi Uzor, described the tragic scene, stating, “The stampede occurred in the morning of the sharing as the gate of the arena was about to be opened because many struggled to gain entrance. Many people, particularly the aged and children, were trampled upon and many collapsed and critically injured while some died before being rushed to the hospital.”

Uzor continued, “I saw a woman that lay lifeless on the floor with her baby strapped on her back. Fortunately, the child was still alive, but when the husband came, he picked the child from the back of his wife and immediately left the scene.”

A survivor, identified as Ngozi, recounted her experience, saying, “I thank God that I survived the situation. I cannot tell what happened, all I can remember was that there were too many people at the entrance of the venue and as the security people were about to open the gate, people started rushing and pushing one another.”

“And when the gate was eventually opened, people started running and in the process, so many people fell and as a result, people coming behind started trampling upon one another. Someone pushed me, and I also fell to the floor. Before I knew what was happening, I felt a heavy load on my body as so many people fell on me.”

“As people were falling on me, I was gasping for breath and shouting, other people in similar circumstances were also shouting. There was noise everywhere. I urinated on my body. It was not a palatable experience, it was as if a trailer of container fell on me.”

“I became unconscious and when I opened my eyes, I found myself at the hospital. I don’t know how I managed to survive. I give God the glory. I lost my mobile set and my handbag containing some money in the process, but that is not my concern now as I am happy to be alive.”

“What happened was not the fault of the organisers. People were just impatient and in the process, it led to what happened,” she explained.

The President-General of the Okija Progressives Union, Dr. Paul Isioma Ohaguim, also commented on the tragedy, describing it as “very unfortunate.” He added that the community was shocked by the news, saying, “The actual casualty figure has not been ascertained, saying the information so far gathered had different figures.”

The Oyo State Police Command has released five individuals who were arrested in connection with the tragic stampede at the Ibadan funfair, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children at the Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

The individuals who were freed include Genesis Christopher (24), Tanimowo Moruf (52), Anisolaja Olabode (42), Idowu Ibrahim (35), and Abiola Oluwatimilehin (25).

The release of these five suspects took place on Monday, according to sources.

However, other key suspects in the case, including Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM, a popular Ibadan-based radio station; and Fasasi Abdulahi, the principal of the Islamic High School, are set to face arraignment in court today.

Reports indicate that Hamzat, who was arrested while receiving treatment in a hospital, will be among those appearing before the court.

At least 15 people were killed in a deadly attack on the Gidan Ado community in Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, while others were left injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.

This assault occurred despite extensive meetings and security measures aimed at preventing such violence during the festive season.

A year ago, similar attacks disrupted Christmas celebrations across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos Local Government Areas.

Security forces had been working with local communities and stakeholders to ensure safety, but the attackers managed to carry out their brutal assault.

The community, primarily inhabited by the Irigwe people from Bassa Local Government Area, suffered significant loss.

Although the state police and Operation Safe Haven (OpSH) have not yet released detailed information, Riyom Council Chairman Sati Shuwa confirmed the attack to Vanguard, explaining that 15 individuals were killed and two survivors are receiving hospital care.

A mass burial was held for the victims.

The spokesperson for OpSH, Major Samson Zhakom, was unavailable for comment, and Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo stated that investigations are ongoing to fully understand the situation.

Sam Jugo, National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), expressed deep sorrow, noting that the attack took place at Ri Do (Gidan Ado), a hamlet predominantly inhabited by the Irigwe people.

He lamented the loss of lives just before the festive season and extended condolences to the grieving families and the Irigwe community.