Afunsho Ridwan Abiola, popularly known as Rolex Dee, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Lagos following the intervention of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) legal team.
The development was confirmed on Friday by human rights lawyer and member of TIB team, Barrister Damilare Adenola, who represented Rolex Dee in the bail application.
Taking to his Facebook page, Adenola said the court granted bail following the application filed on behalf of Rolex Dee.
“Afunsho aka Rolex Dee has been granted bail following our application to the court. We are hopeful that he would be out as soon as we possibly perfect the given conditions. Thanks to you all,” he wrote.
The bail was also confirmed by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), who has been following the case and publicly advocating for Rolex Dee’s release.
Sowore said Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the bail but imposed conditions that must be met before Rolex Dee can regain his freedom.
According to him, Rolex Dee is required to provide two sureties in the sum of ₦50 million each. One of the sureties must be a family member, while the first surety must be a property owner within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court also ordered Rolex Dee to deposit his international passport.
Sowore thanked Adenola for what he described as his “great legal work, commitment, and determination” in securing the bail, adding that efforts would continue to ensure that the conditions are fulfilled and Rolex Dee is released.
The ruling followed an earlier court appearance during which Adenola asked the court to grant Rolex Dee bail on liberal terms.
The lawyer had also raised concerns about the treatment of his client while in police custody, telling the court that Rolex Dee was being denied food and medical care.
Adenola further told the court that Rolex Dee needed to be released so he could mourn and be with his family during the difficult period.
The lawyer also thanked members of the Take It Back Movement who attended the court proceedings in support of Rolex Dee, as well as fellow lawyers Joseph Oshomha Aliu and Jamiu Gbeleola for joining him in court.
Rolex Dee’s detention had attracted public attention following his arrest in connection with allegations made against him by Fuji musician Taye Currency.
The police had accused Rolex Dee of offences including cyberbullying, defamation of character and threats to life, following comments allegedly made by him on social media and during a programme.
However, his legal team and supporters had raised concerns about the circumstances of his detention and his treatment in police custody.
Sowore, however, stressed that the matter should not end with the granting of bail, calling for accountability over what he described as the abuse of Rolex Dee’s fundamental rights.
“There must be accountability for what was done to Rolex Dee,” he said.
More details shortly…
Leave a Reply