The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has struck out a criminal defamation charge against Lagos-based lawyer and author Dele Farotimi, following an application by the prosecution to discontinue the case.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Babs Kuewumi granted the request after police prosecutor Samson Osobu informed the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance.

“The matter was slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated 29th January 2025,” Osobu stated.

With no objections from Farotimi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the judge struck out the case, declaring, “This case is hereby struck out.”

Outside the courtroom, Olumide-Fusika declined to comment on related cases still pending in other courts but confirmed that his client had been advised against making public statements on the matter.

However, another criminal charge against Farotimi remains before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun. The case has been adjourned to 13th February 2025, with expectations that the police may also move to withdraw the charge.

Additionally, multiple civil defamation suits against Farotimi are pending before the High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers states. Some of these courts have issued interim orders restraining the sale and publication of his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. It remains unclear whether these civil cases will also be withdrawn.