The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Thursday, struck out the defamation suit filed against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, by the Police. The decision came after the prosecution, represented by Martins Akala, an officer in charge of Legal Affairs at the State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, applied for the withdrawal of the case.
This development follows a series of events, including the earlier withdrawal of charges by the police at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti Division. On January 29, 2025, the Federal High Court struck out charges of cyberbullying and defamation against Farotimi, following a similar application from the police to withdraw the charges.
Background of the Case:
The defamation suit against Farotimi stemmed from allegations in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he claimed that legal luminary Afe Babalola had corrupted Supreme Court justices, among other accusations. The police filed the defamation charges against Farotimi on December 4, 2024, prompting the court to grant him bail on December 20, 2024. The case was initially scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025.
Settlement and Withdrawal:
However, following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Afe Babalola agreed to withdraw the criminal defamation charges on January 27, 2025. This settlement led to the application to withdraw the case from the Magistrate Court.
At the hearing on Thursday, Akala informed the court that, upon the instruction of police authorities, the prosecution sought leave to withdraw the charge. The defendant’s legal representative, Kembi Adejare, confirmed that there was no objection to the application.
Court’s Ruling:
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, in his ruling, struck the case out, stating that, “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.”
This marks the end of the legal battle against Farotimi in the Magistrate Court, following the successful withdrawal of both the defamation and cyberbullying charges against him. The settlement between Farotimi and Afe Babalola, facilitated by traditional leaders, appears to have brought an end to the controversy surrounding the case.
