A Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has struck out a defamation suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
The suit, which was withdrawn by the prosecution, stemmed from allegations in Farotimi’s book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, which accused prominent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola SAN of influencing Supreme Court judges.
At the hearing on Wednesday, the complainant’s counsel, Samson Osobu, informed the court that a notice of discontinuance had been filed, citing Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Osobu further explained that the notice of discontinuance was filed on 29th January 2025, and that the decision to drop the suit followed interventions by well-meaning Nigerians, as well as a request from Afe Babalola to discontinue the matter.
Farotimi’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not object to the withdrawal.
As a result, Justice Babs Kuewumi struck out the case, declaring, “This case is hereby struck out.”
TheLeadng reports that legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, recently expressed his willingness to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against rights activist, Farotimi.
Babalola had sued Farotimi over alleged defamatory content in a book published by the activist, which the legal luminary claimed tarnished his reputation.
Babalola’s decision to reconsider his stance followed a visit by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Sunday night.
The Ooni, accompanied by several prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, visited Babalola at his residence in Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) to appeal for the withdrawal of the suit.
The royal delegation, which included the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, among others, urged Babalola to reconsider his legal action in a bid to foster peace.
