The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has struck out the defamation charge filed by the police against Lagos-based lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi.
Presiding over the case, Justice Babs Kuewumi dismissed the charge after the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, informed the court that the prosecution had decided to discontinue the case.
“The matter was scheduled for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025,” Osobu told the court.
With no objections from Farotimi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the judge ruled, “This case is hereby struck out.”
Outside the courtroom, Olumide-Fusika confirmed to journalists that the case had been concluded in this court but declined to comment on other related legal matters pending in different courts.
He also stated that he had advised Farotimi not to speak to the press about the case.
Meanwhile, another defamation charge against Farotimi remains pending before the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun.
That case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, with expectations that the police may also withdraw the charge.
Additionally, multiple civil cases against Farotimi are ongoing at various courts, including the FCT High Court in Abuja and state high courts in Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers.
These suits, filed by lawyers from Afe Babalola Chambers, have led to interim court orders restricting the further printing, publication, or sale of his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
It remains uncertain whether these civil cases will also be discontinued.
