The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, struck out a defamation lawsuit filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi over alleged cybercrime.
The case, which arose from comments Farotimi made in an interview about his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, particularly concerning legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, was formally withdrawn in court.
At the hearing, counsel for the complainant, Samson Osobu, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance.
“The matter is slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” Osobu stated.
Citing Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Osobu explained that the prosecution sought to withdraw the charge following interventions by well-meaning Nigerians. He also disclosed that Afe Babalola himself had requested the discontinuation of the matter.
Counsel for the defendant, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal, leading Justice Babs Kuewumi to strike out the case.
“This case is hereby struck out,” the judge declared.
The decision to drop the case followed interventions from prominent traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. On Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation charges against Farotimi.
Speaking after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika confirmed that the case had been concluded in Ado Ekiti but declined to comment on related matters pending in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
He also revealed that he had advised Farotimi against granting press interviews on the matter, suggesting that further legal proceedings could still unfold in other jurisdictions.
