‘Dismissed!’ Another Court Drops Defamation Case Against Dele Farotimi

OwelekeTV — The Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court has dismissed the defamation case against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, following a motion by the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, to withdraw the charges.

This comes after the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had also struck out cyberbullying and defamation charges against Farotimi on January 29, 2025, following a similar withdrawal request by the police.

Farotimi was initially arraigned by the Ekiti State Police on December 4, 2024, over alleged defamatory statements against legal luminary Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. In the book, Farotimi accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court justices.

Following his bail on December 20, 2024, the case was set for hearing on February 13.

However, on January 27, Babalola opted to withdraw the suit after interventions from prominent traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

During Thursday’s hearing, Akala informed the court of instructions from police authorities to drop the case, stating,

“This matter is slated for hearing today, but I seek leave of the court to withdraw the charge against the defendant on instruction from the authorities.”

Farotimi’s counsel, Kembi Adejare, welcomed the decision, while speaking with newsmen, he said;

“They brought us here, and now they asked us to go. In the open court, I said they had just removed the chains. Why should we complain?”

In his brief ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, struck out the case.

Adeosun said,

“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.”

Following Afe Babalola’s petition, the police had in December arrested Farotimi in Lagos and whisked him away to Ado Ekiti.

He was remanded in prison custody for about a month before he eventually secured his freedom on December 24, 2024, after perfecting his bail.