Police Withdraw Defamation Charge Against Dele Farotimi.
According to reports coming out of Ekiti State, the Nigeria Police Force has decided to withdraw the defamation charge against Lagos-based lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi. The notice of discontinuance was filed on January 29th at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, following the wishes of the nominal complainant, Are Afe Babalola.
The notice, was lodged under Section 108 (1) (2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. It was signed by police prosecutor Samson Osobu, who confirmed to our correspondents that the police are seeking to have the charge against Mr. Farotimi struck out.
This legal U-turn comes after the intervention of several well-meaning Nigerians, persuading Babalola to reconsider his stance on the matter. The exact details of these interventions remain private, but sources close to the matter indicate that prominent figures including traditional leaders played a key role.
At the time of this report, all parties involved in the suit were present at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, where the notice was officially served to the defendant’s counsel. However, the judge has yet to preside over the session to formally strike out the charge.
Despite this development, another related charge against Farotimi remains active at the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. This case is scheduled for hearing on February 13, 2025, with expectations that it too will be discontinued before the next court date.
This case has captured significant public attention, highlighting issues of freedom of speech and the legal mechanisms used to challenge defamation in Nigeria. The outcome may set a precedent for how such cases are handled in the future, particularly in the realm of public figures and their rights to express opinion or critique.
