The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday dismissed the criminal defamation suit filed against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, by Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
The decision came after the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, filed a notice of discontinuance.
Babalola had granted Farotimi a pardon on Sunday evening following the intervention of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and other respected Yoruba monarchs. The notice, dated January 29, 2025, was filed to withdraw the defamation charges against the Lagos-based human rights advocate.
Justice Babs Kuewunmi ruled to strike out the case after the defense accepted the notice of discontinuance.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Farotimi’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), confirmed that his client had agreed to the discontinuance but emphasized that other related cases are still pending in various courts.
Olumide-Fusika mentioned that additional cases are ongoing in the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court, as well as in Oyo, Ogun, Port Harcourt, and Abuja.
He said, “We were served with the notice of discontinuance this morning, and we accepted it. The case at the high court has now been struck out. We will now await developments in the other cases. There are still ongoing cases in Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court, as well as in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abeokuta.
“Until those cases are resolved, we cannot comment further. The matter is still before various courts, and I’ve advised my client not to speak to the press on this issue.”
Farotimi, dressed in white, was present in the courtroom around 9 a.m. but declined to speak with the media. The courtroom was notably less crowded compared to his last appearance in December 2024 at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court.
