Ekiti State Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has struck out the defamation case brought against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
The court decision followed the application and motion by the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, an officer in charge of Legal at the State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, for withdrawal of the suit from court.
The Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, had on January 29, 2025, struck out charges brought by the Police against Farotimi bordering on cyberbullying and defamation following the police application to withdraw the charge.
The Police in Ekiti State had charged Farotimi to the Magistrate Court on December 4, 2024, following allegations of defaming senior lawyer Afe Babalola in his book, titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
Farotimi had alleged in the book that Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court justices among others.
The court granted Farotimi bail on December 20, 2024, and adjourned the matter till February 13 for a hearing.
However, Afe Babalola had on January 27, 2025, following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, agreed to withdraw the criminal defamation cases against Farotimi from the court.
When the matter came up on Thursday, the police prosecutor, Akala told the court that following directives from the authorities, the defamation suit against Farotimi should be withdrawn.
He said: “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.”
The lead counsel for the defendant, Kembi Adejare, said that he had no objection to the application.
In his brief ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, struck out the case following the decisions of the prosecuting team to withdraw it.
“Based on the written and oral applications by the prosecution for the withdrawal of the case and the fact that the defendant did not have any objection, the charge is hereby struck out. That is the end of the case,” Adeosun ruled.