The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn its defamation lawsuit against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi following a decision by the nominal complainant, Afe Babalola, to discontinue the case.
The suit, which was filed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, was formally discontinued through a notice submitted to the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti. The notice, dated January 29, 2025, cited Section 108 (1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as the legal basis for the withdrawal.
During the court session, the prosecution served the notice of discontinuance to Farotimi’s counsel. However, the presiding judge has yet to officially strike out the charge. The notice, signed by police prosecutor Samson Osubu, stated that the withdrawal was influenced by the intervention of prominent Nigerians who appealed for reconciliation.
Reports indicate that Afe Babalola initially resisted appeals from influential figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah. However, he eventually agreed to drop the charges after Yoruba monarchs, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged him to reconsider.
Despite this development, a separate defamation charge against Farotimi remains active at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti. The case is scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025. However, there are indications that the police may also withdraw this charge before the next court session.
The withdrawal of the lawsuit marks a significant turn in the case, which had drawn widespread attention from legal and human rights communities across Nigeria.
