The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has officially struck out the defamation charge filed against Lagos-based lawyer and author, Mr. Dele Farotimi, following an application by the police to withdraw the case.
Justice Babs Kuewumi made the decision after the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, informed the court that a notice of discontinuance had been filed. Osobu explained that the notice, dated January 29, 2025, had been submitted that morning, and that the prosecution no longer wished to proceed with the case.
Farotimi’s legal team, led by Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not object to the move, paving the way for the judge to declare, “This case is hereby struck out.”
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Olumide-Fusika confirmed that the case had been concluded in this court but declined to comment on related cases still pending in other jurisdictions. He further advised Farotimi against giving any interviews about the matter at this time.
In the meantime, another criminal charge filed by the police against Farotimi is still pending before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti. The case, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, has been adjourned to February 13, 2025. It is expected that the police will also file for discontinuance in this case.
Farotimi is also facing several civil cases in different courts, including the FCT High Court in Abuja, Ogun State High Court, Oyo State High Court, and Rivers State High Court. These cases were filed by lawyers from the Afe Babalola Chambers in those states, some of whom have secured interim orders to prevent Farotimi from further publishing and selling his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
It remains uncertain whether these civil cases will be discontinued as well.
(Politics Nigeria)