The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over allegations of cybercrime. The case, which stemmed from comments Farotimi made about his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, especially regarding Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, was formally withdrawn in court.
At the hearing, the complainant’s counsel, Samson Osobu, informed the court that a notice of discontinuance had been filed. “The matter is slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” Osobu explained.
He cited Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as the legal basis for the withdrawal, adding that the decision to discontinue the case was influenced by the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians and a request from Afe Babalola himself. Counsel for the defendant, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not object to the withdrawal.
Justice Babs Kuewumi subsequently struck out the case, stating, “This case is hereby struck out.”
After the ruling, Olumide-Fusika confirmed the case had been concluded in Ado Ekiti but refrained from commenting on other ongoing legal matters across Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. He also advised Farotimi against discussing the issue in the media.
The withdrawal came after the intervention of prominent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Additionally, on Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he would direct his legal team to withdraw the defamation charges against Farotimi.
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