The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has struck out the defamation suit filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi over alleged cybercrime.

The case, which arose from comments made by Farotimi during an interview about his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, particularly regarding the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, was formally withdrawn in court on Wednesday.

During the hearing, counsel for the complainant, Samson Osobu, informed the court of a notice of discontinuance filed earlier that morning. Citing Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Osobu requested the court’s leave to withdraw the charge, emphasizing that the decision followed interventions by respected Nigerians and a request from the nominal complainant, Afe Babalola, to discontinue the case.

The defendant’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), did not oppose the withdrawal. As a result, Justice Babs Kuewumi ruled, “This case is hereby struck out.”

Speaking after the ruling, Olumide-Fusika confirmed the conclusion of the case in Ado Ekiti but refrained from commenting on related cases still pending in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. He also advised Farotimi against granting press interviews on the matter.

The withdrawal of the suit follows the diligent efforts of prominent traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. On Monday, Afe Babalola announced that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw the defamation charges against Farotimi.

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