The Nigeria Police Force has officially withdrawn its defamation case against Lagos-based lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi, following the intervention of key stakeholders.
A notice of discontinuance, dated January 29, was filed at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti under Section 108 (1) (2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The notice, signed by police prosecutor Samson Osubu, requests the court to strike out the case after the nominal complainant, Are Afe Babalola, expressed a desire to withdraw the charges.
As at the time of filing this report, legal representatives for both parties have assembled at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, where the prosecution has served the withdrawal notice to Farotimi’s defense team.
However, the presiding judge is yet to sit and formally strike out the charge.
Meanwhile, a separate charge against Farotimi, filed by the police at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, remains pending.
The case is scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025, though expectations are high that it will also be discontinued before the adjourned date.
