The Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court has struck out the defamation suit against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
The case was dismissed following an application by the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, seeking its withdrawal.
Earlier, on January 29, 2025, the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had also struck out cyberbullying and defamation charges against Farotimi after the police applied for their withdrawal.
Farotimi was arraigned by the Ekiti State Police on December 4, 2024, over alleged defamation of legal luminary Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he reportedly accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court justices.
He was granted bail on December 20, 2024, and the case was scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025. However, on January 27, 2025, Babalola agreed to withdraw the charges following the intervention of traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the police prosecutor informed the court of the directive to withdraw the charges.
“This matter is slated for hearing today. But I want to seek leave of the court to withdraw the charge against the defendant on the instruction of the police authorities,” Akala stated.
Reacting to the ruling, Farotimi’s counsel, Kembi Adejare, welcomed the decision.
“The case was struck out based on the application of the prosecution. We welcomed it. They brought us here, and they asked us to go,” he said. “In open court, I said they had just removed the chains—they brought the chains, they removed the chains. Why should we complain?”
