Police Withdraw Defamation Charge Against Farotimi

The Nigeria Police Force has filed a notice of discontinuance in the alleged defamation suit filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, against Lagos-based legal practitioner and author, Dele Farotimi.

Channels Television sighted the notice of discontinuance dated January 29th which was filed pursuant to Section 108 (1) (2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and which seeks to withdraw the charge pending against Mr Farotimi at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

The notice, which was signed by the police prosecutor, Samson Osubu, also disclosed that the police would be asking the court to strike out the charge following the desire of the nominal complainant, Are Afe Babalola, to discontinue the case after the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians.

As of the time of writing this report, parties to the suit have gathered at the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti and the prosecution has served the notice on the defendants counsel in court.

The judge is, however, yet to sit to formally strike out the charge.

Meanwhile, there is still another charge filed by the police which is pending at the Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti, which has not been discontinued. That case will come up on February 13, 2025.

The expectation is that the police will discontinue that case before the next adjourned date