The Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State has struck out the defamation suit filed against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
The court’s decision followed an application by the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, seeking to withdraw the case.
This development comes after the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, on January 29, 2025, also struck out cyberbullying and defamation charges against Farotimi, following a similar withdrawal request by the police.
Farotimi was initially arraigned by the Ekiti State Police on December 4, 2024, over allegations of defaming legal icon Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. In the publication, Farotimi alleged that Babalola influenced Supreme Court justices, among other claims.
He was granted bail on December 20, 2024, with the case adjourned to February 13 for hearing. However, in a significant turn of events, Afe Babalola agreed to drop the defamation charges on January 27, 2025, following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers,