The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has dismissed the criminal charge filed by the police against Lagos-based legal practitioner and author, Dele Farotimi.
Justice Babs Kuewumi struck out the charge after the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, filed an application for its discontinuance.
Osobu informed the court, “The matter was scheduled for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance, dated January 29, 2025, which was submitted this morning.”
There were no objections from Farotimi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika. As a result, Justice Kuewumi officially struck out the case, stating, “This case is hereby struck out.”
Outside the courtroom, Olumide-Fusika told journalists that the case had been concluded in this court but refrained from commenting on related matters pending in other courts. He also confirmed that he had advised Farotimi not to grant interviews regarding the case.
It is important to note that another criminal charge against Farotimi is still pending before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. That case, before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, has been adjourned to February 13, 2025. It is expected that the police may also seek to discontinue proceedings and withdraw the charge in that court.
In addition to the criminal cases, Farotimi faces civil cases in the FCT High Court in Abuja, the Ogun State High Court, the Oyo State High Court, and the Rivers State High Court. These cases were filed by lawyers from Afe Babalola Chambers in those jurisdictions. Some of the courts have granted interim orders prohibiting Farotimi or anyone acting on his behalf from printing, publishing, or selling his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
It remains uncertain whether these civil cases will also be discontinued.
