Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has struck out the criminal defamation suit instituted against human rights activist, Dele Farotimi by the Nigeria Police Force.
This followed a notice of discontinuance and withdrawal filed by prosecuting counsel, Mr. Samson Osobu on Wednesday.
The police dragged Farotimi to court in 2024 after legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalolo (SAN), accused the rights activist of defaming him in his book titled, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’
However, Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, disclosed on Sunday that he had forgiven Farotimi and would withdrew the case
following the intervention of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and some other prominent monarchs.
On Wednesday, the prosecution counsel told the court that the notice of discontinuance and withdrawal was brought pursuant to Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
Osobu disclosed that the nominal complainant (Babalola) expressed his desire to discontinue the case.
Counsel for the defendant, Mr. A. Olumide Fusika (SAN), did not oppose the discontinuance and withdrawal.
Justice Kuewumi ruled to strike out the case.
