Ekiti Magistrate Court Dismisses Defamation Case Against Dele Farotimi

The Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State has struck out the defamation case against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi. The decision followed a motion filed by police prosecutor Martins Akala, seeking to withdraw the case from the court. According to reports, the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had earlier dismissed cyberbullying and defamation charges against Farotimi on January 29, 2025, after the police withdrew the charges. Background of the Case Farotimi was arraigned by the Ekiti State Police on December 4, 2024, over alleged defamatory statements against legal luminary Afe Babalola in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. In the book, he accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court justices. He was granted bail on December 20, 2024, and the case was scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025. However, on January 27, 2025, Afe Babalola agreed to withdraw the criminal defamation charges following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Court Proceedings and Ruling During Thursday’s hearing, prosecutor Akala informed the court that the authorities had directed the withdrawal of the defamation suit. “This matter was scheduled for hearing today, but I seek leave of the court to withdraw the charge against the defendant as instructed by the police authorities,” he stated. In response to the ruling, Farotimi’s counsel, Kembi Adejare, welcomed the decision, saying, “The case was struck out based on the prosecution’s application. They brought us here, and now they’ve asked us to leave. In open court, I said they put us in chains and have now removed them—why should we complain?”