Court Strikes Out IGP’s Defamation Case Against Human Rights Advocate Dele Farotimi
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has struck out the defamation lawsuit filed by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun against prominent human rights advocate Dele Farotimi. The case, which centred on allegations of cybercrime, was withdrawn following an appeal by legal luminary Afe Babalola (SAN).
During Wednesday’s proceedings, police counsel Samson Osobu informed the court that the prosecution had officially filed a notice to discontinue the case. According to Punch, Osobu cited interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and Babalola’s plea as key factors in the decision to drop the charges.
Citing Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Osobu formally requested that the matter be struck out.
“The matter is slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” Osobu stated.
“With the leave of this honourable court, the prosecution seeks to withdraw the charge against the defendant and prays that the charge be struck out.”
Defence counsel Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika did not oppose the withdrawal, leading Justice Babs Kuewumi to formally dismiss the case.
Speaking to reporters after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika confirmed that the Ado-Ekiti case had been resolved but declined to comment on related cases still pending in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and another magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti.
The lawsuit stemmed from police accusations that Farotimi had “criminally defamed” Babalola in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The defamation case previously saw Farotimi granted N30 million bail by an Ado-Ekiti magistrate court in December.
