An Ekiti State Chief Magistrates’ Court in the Ado Ekiti District on Thursday, struck out the defamation suit filed against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, by the Police.

This followed an application and motion by the prosecutor, Martins Akala, an officer in charge of Legal at the State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, seeking to withdraw the suit from the court.

A Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti had earlier struck out similar charges against Farotimi on January 29, 2025. The charges, which included cyberbullying and defamation, were withdrawn by the Police.

In the case before the Magistrates’ Court, the Police in Ekiti State had charged Farotimi on December 4, 2024, over allegations of defaming legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The court granted Farotimi bail on December 20, 2024, and adjourned the matter till February 13, 2025, for hearing.

However, on January 27, 2025, Chief Afe Babalola, following the intervention of prominent traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, agreed to withdraw the criminal defamation case against Farotimi.

When the matter came up on Thursday, Akala told the court, “This matter is slated for hearing today. But I seek the court’s leave to withdraw the charge against the defendant on the instruction of the police authorities.”

The lead counsel for the defendant, Kembi Adejare, did not oppose the application.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, struck out the case, stating, “Based on the written and oral applications by the prosecution for the withdrawal of the case, and the fact that the defendant has no objection, the charge is hereby struck out. That is the end of the case.”

Speaking with journalists after the ruling, Adejare said, “The case was struck out based on the prosecution’s application. We welcome it. They brought us here, and they asked us to go.”