Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Dele Farotimi

A Nigerian court has dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed against activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi, marking a legal victory in his fight for free speech.

In a major legal turn of events, the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday threw out a defamation lawsuit brought by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun against well-known activist lawyer Dele Farotimi.

The case centered on accusations of cybercrime related to comments Farotimi made during an interview discussing his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”

In the interview, Farotimi reportedly discussed Nigeria’s legal landscape and mentioned Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University. These comments led to a defamation lawsuit filed by the police chief.

During the court proceedings, Samson Osobu, the complainant’s counsel, officially submitted a notice of discontinuance to withdraw the case. As a result, the court struck out the suit.

“The case is scheduled for a hearing today; however, we have submitted a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, which was filed this morning,” he explained.

Osobu referenced Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as the foundation for withdrawing, stating that “The prosecution requests the permission of this honorable court to withdraw the charge against the defendant and respectfully asks for it to be struck out.”

He elaborated that the decision to withdraw the case was influenced by interventions from well-meaning Nigerians and a request from Afe Babalola, the nominal complainant, to discontinue the matter.

Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), the defendant’s counsel, did not object to the withdrawal.

As a result, Justice Babs Kuewumi dismissed the case, stating, “This case is hereby struck out.”

After the ruling, Olumide-Fusika spoke to journalists and mentioned that the case had been concluded in Ado Ekiti. However, he refrained from commenting on related matters pending in courts across Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and at the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.

He also mentioned that he had advised Farotimi not to give press interviews on the issue.

The lawsuit was withdrawn after prominent traditional rulers, headed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, intervened.

On Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the defamation charges against Farotimi.