Court strikes out cybercrimes charge against Farotimi

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FOR THE RECORDS: Afe Babalola's petition against Dele Farotimi - Vanguard News

Nigeria’s Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday struck out the defamation charge filed by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over alleged cybercrime.

When the case was called, counsel for the complainant, Samson Osobu, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance.

“The matter is slated for hearing today, but we have filed a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” he stated.

He cited Section 108(1)(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as the basis for the withdrawal, adding, “The prosecution, with the leave of this honourable court, seeks to withdraw the charge against the defendant and pray that the charge be struck out.”

Osobu further explained that the decision to withdraw the case followed interventions by well-meaning Nigerians and a request from the nominal complainant, Afe Babalola, to discontinue the matter.

Counsel for the defendant, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN, did not oppose application for discontinuance.

Consequently, Justice Babs Kuewumi struck out the case.

He said: “This case is hereby struck out.”

The case, stemmed from comments allegedly made by Farotimi in an interview about his book: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” particularly concerning Afe Babalola.

When contacted, Dele Farotimi, said he would not comment on the decision of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, to end the criminal defamation and cybercrimes cases against him.

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