Legal Showdown Ends: Court Strikes Out Afe Babalola’s Defamation Charges Against Farotimi

The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has dismissed a defamation case against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi, filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged cybercrime.

The case stemmed from comments made by Farotimi during an interview about his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which included remarks involving Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

At Wednesday’s hearing, the complainant’s lawyer, Samson Osobu, informed the court of a notice of discontinuance. He cited Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, stating that the case was being withdrawn following interventions by prominent Nigerians and a formal request by Afe Babalola to drop the charges.

Farotimi’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not object to the withdrawal. Justice Babs Kuewumi subsequently struck out the case.

Speaking after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika noted that the matter had been resolved in Ado Ekiti but refrained from commenting on related cases ongoing in other courts across Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. He added that he had advised Farotimi against granting media interviews on the issue.

The decision to drop the charges followed Afe Babalola’s directive to his legal team and interventions from notable traditional leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.