The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the defamation charge against Lagos-based lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi.
This comes after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed a notice of discontinuance, effectively dropping the case against Farotimi.
A notice filed under Section 108 (1) (2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, seeks to withdraw the charge pending against Farotimi at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. Signed by police prosecutor Samson Osubu, the notice states that the police will request the court to strike out the charge following the decision of the nominal complainant, Are Afe Babalola, to discontinue the case.
The case was initially brought against Farotimi after Afe Babalola alleged that the lawyer’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” contained defamatory content. However, after the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, Babalola decided to withdraw the case.
Parties to the suit have gathered at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti, and the prosecution has served the notice on the defendant’s counsel in court.
However, the judge has yet to formally strike out the charge.
