NEWS
Ekiti Magistrate Court Faces Backlash Over Harsh Bail Conditions for Dele Farotimi
The Ekiti State Magistrate Court has come under fire after imposing stringent bail conditions on human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
The court on Friday set bail at N30 million, requiring two sureties — one of whom must be a property owner — and ordered Farotimi to surrender his passport and abstain from granting media interviews.
The bail terms, which activists have described as oppressive, have sparked widespread condemnation, with Comrade Ufezime Nelson Ubi calling the court’s actions a blatant attempt to silence dissent.
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In a statement released on Saturday, Ubi described the bail terms as “obnoxious and oppressive,” labeling them a calculated attempt to suppress dissent and silence a voice for justice.
He accused the judiciary of weaponizing bail to further political repression.
He said, “Bail is a constitutional right, designed to ensure that an accused person remains free while awaiting trial. However, in the case of Comrade Farotimi, the court has weaponized bail as a means of political repression.”
He described the N30 million bond as excessive and financially punitive.
“The imposition of a N30 million bond is not just excessive; it is a blatant attempt to cripple Comrade Farotimi financially,” Ubi stated. “In a country where the majority of its citizens live in poverty, this bond is a deliberate barrier to justice.”
Ubi argued that the bail conditions were designed not to ensure Farotimi’s court attendance but to isolate and punish him for his activism.
“By demanding two sureties, including a property owner, the court has created conditions that exclude the majority of Nigerians,” he said.
The activist further criticized the order for Farotimi to surrender his passport and refrain from speaking to the media.
“Requiring the surrender of his passport violates his fundamental right to freedom of movement,” Ubi said.
“And the gag order is an explicit infringement on his right to free speech and expression. It is an attempt to silence him and prevent him from sharing his message with the public.”
Ubi warned that the court’s actions set a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and public trust in the judiciary.
“These bail conditions are part of a broader strategy of intimidation and repression aimed at stifling activism across Nigeria,” he said. “They represent an attempt to send a clear message to all Nigerians: speak out, and you will face severe consequences.”
He called on the judiciary to reaffirm its commitment to justice, fairness, and equality.
“The judiciary should serve as the ultimate defender of justice, equity, and fairness. In this case, it has failed in its duty and aligned itself with the forces of repression,” Ubi lamented.
Urging Nigerians to take a stand, Ubi emphasized the need for collective action.
“Comrade Dele Farotimi’s courage in the face of these oppressive bail terms is an inspiration to all who believe in the fight for truth and accountability,” he said. “It is our collective responsibility to stand with him and with all those who refuse to be silenced by fear and intimidation.”
Ubi concluded by stressing the importance of resisting oppressive systems.
“Let us rise to defend democracy, justice, and freedom. The future of Nigeria depends on our collective will to resist tyranny and to restore the rule of law,” he said.
In a historic move, Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after a 13-year suspension.
The first flight, carrying 349 passengers, departed from Istanbul International Airport on Thursday morning, according to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu.
The resumption of flights marks the end of a pause dating back to April 2012, when the airline suspended operations due to the onset of the Syrian civil war.
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The decision comes as relations between the two nations improve and reflects a growing trend of Syrians returning to their homeland after years of displacement.
Turkey, which hosts approximately 3 million Syrian refugees—the highest number worldwide—has witnessed many Syrians preparing to return home.
Anadolu reported that several passengers on Thursday’s flight were traveling to Syria for the first time in over a decade.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” said Ahmet Kiraz, a passenger who had lived in Turkey since 2012. Kiraz expressed his disbelief at finally being able to return home, a moment he had thought might never come.
Images from the scene showed travelers boarding the plane with the Syrian flag draped across their shoulders, a symbol of both pride and a longing for their homeland.
Turkish Airlines announced plans to operate three flights per week to Damascus, with further details expected to be disclosed later in the day.
A 23-year-old Turkish OnlyFans model, Ezra Vandan, also known as Azranur AV, has been detained in Istanbul for publicly announcing her plan to engage in sexual activity with 100 men within 24 hours.
The announcement, made on social media, sparked outrage and led to her arrest by the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate’s Morality Bureau.
Vandan had shared her intentions on January 14, 2025, posting a photo of herself in red lingerie with the caption: “My goal is to break a Turkish record first, then a world record! I’m starting with 100 men in 24 hours.”
She reportedly planned to live-stream the event, which was widely criticised as “obscene” and “damaging to societal morals.”
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According to reports, the post drew the attention of authorities, who initiated an investigation and apprehended her while she awaited a cosmetic surgery operation in Atasehir. Footage captured her being escorted down the stairs of a hospital by female officers, her wrists bound behind her.
In a controversial twist, Vandan allegedly uploaded a revealing image taken during her arrest by a police officer, captioning it, “I had the photo taken by one of the officers, he didn’t object much.”
Her husband, Pedram Behdar Vandan, 25, was also briefly detained but later released.
The Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace has charged Vandan with obscenity, resisting an officer on duty, and slander, stating that her actions and posts were “damaging to moral values” and “provocative to society.”
Defending herself in court, Vandan argued that her posts were personal and did not harm anyone. “I do not deserve to be judged,” she said.
The case has reignited debates in Turkey about personal freedom and societal values.
Eleven passengers tragically lost their lives on Wednesday in Maharashtra, India, after jumping off a moving train amid fears of a fire, only to be struck by an oncoming train.
The incident occurred in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 kilometres from Mumbai, and has once again highlighted safety issues in India’s extensive railway network, which serves millions of passengers daily.
Ayush Prasad, a senior district official, confirmed the fatalities and stated that five other passengers are receiving medical treatment. “People were run over by a train,” he said, without clarifying if the fire alarm was genuine or false.
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According to a spokesperson for Indian Railways, the chaos began when someone activated the “alarm chain” on the Mumbai-bound train, prompting several passengers to disembark. Tragically, they were struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction.
India’s interior minister, Amit Shah, expressed his grief over the incident, saying, “Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident.” Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the tragedy as “deeply disturbing” and said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite efforts to modernise the railway infrastructure with a $30 billion investment aimed at improving safety and connectivity, accidents remain a significant concern. Official records indicate that an average of 20,000 people died annually in rail-related accidents between 2017 and 2021.
In 2023, one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters claimed nearly 300 lives when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, leading to further collisions.
India continues to grapple with balancing its rapid economic growth with ensuring the safety of its ageing railway network.
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