In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday dismissed a defamation case filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against prominent activist lawyer Dele Farotimi.
The case revolved around allegations of cybercrime linked to remarks made by Farotimi during an interview about his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi’s comments in the interview reportedly touched on the legal landscape in Nigeria, including references to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola. These remarks prompted the defamation suit by the police chief.
However, during the court proceedings, the complainant’s counsel, Samson Osobu, formally submitted a notice of discontinuance, indicating the decision to withdraw the case. The court subsequently struck out the suit.
“The matter is slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” he stated.
Osobu cited Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as the basis for the withdrawal, adding, “The prosecution, with the leave of this honourable court, seeks to withdraw the charge against the defendant and pray that the charge be struck out.”
He further explained that the decision to withdraw the case followed interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and a request from the nominal complainant, Afe Babalola, to discontinue the matter.
Counsel for the defendant, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal.
Consequently, Justice Babs Kuewumi struck out the case, declaring, “This case is hereby struck out.”
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika noted that the case had been concluded in Ado Ekiti but declined to comment on related matters pending in courts across Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
He also stated that he had advised Farotimi against granting press interviews on the matter.
The withdrawal of the suit follows the intervention of prominent traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
On Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he would instruct his lawyers to withdraw the defamation charges against Farotimi.
