The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has dismissed the criminal defamation case filed against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. The case was brought against him by the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola.
The dismissal came after the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, submitted a notice of discontinuance. The document, dated January 29, 2025, officially withdrew the case from court.
Babalola had granted Farotimi a pardon on Sunday following interventions by influential Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. This led the police to withdraw the charges against the Lagos-based activist.
Justice Babs Kuewunmi, who presided over the matter, struck out the case after the defense team accepted the withdrawal notice.
After the court session, Farotimi’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), spoke to journalists, confirming that his client had accepted the discontinuance. However, he noted that other legal proceedings related to the matter were still ongoing in different courts across the country.
“In this case, we were served with a notice of discontinuance this morning. We accepted it, and the case at the high court here has been struck out,” he said.
The senior lawyer further explained that cases linked to the matter are still pending in courts in Ado-Ekiti, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Abeokuta. “Until those cases are resolved, we cannot make any further comments. The matter is still before various courts, so I have advised my client not to speak with the press on the issue,” he added.
Farotimi, who attended the court session, did not address journalists after the ruling. He was seen in the courtroom around 9 a.m., wearing white attire.
