The Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti has dismissed a defamation case against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
The case was withdrawn after the police prosecutor, Martins Akala, filed an application to discontinue it.
Farotimi had been charged on December 4, 2024, over claims in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he accused legal icon Afe Babalola of influencing Supreme Court justices.
The court had granted him bail on December 20, 2024, and scheduled a hearing for February 13, 2025.
The decision to drop the case followed a request from Afe Babalola, who agreed to withdraw all criminal defamation charges after discussions led by traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
During the court session on Thursday, the police prosecutor informed the court that authorities had instructed the withdrawal of the case. The defense counsel, Kembi Adejare, had no objection.
Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ruled that the case be struck out, marking its official end.
Following this development, some have expressed the view that the claims in the book by the author had been validated.
