An Ekiti State magistrate court has dismissed the defamation case against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi. The case was dropped after the police applied to withdraw the charges.

The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had earlier dismissed similar cyberbullying and defamation charges against Farotimi on January 29, 2025.

The case was originally filed after Farotimi allegedly defamed legal expert Afe Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. In the book, he claimed that Babalola influenced Supreme Court justices.

Farotimi was first arraigned on December 4, 2024, and later granted bail on December 20. The case was set for hearing on February 13, 2025. However, on January 27, Afe Babalola agreed to drop the case after interventions from top traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

During the court session on Thursday, police prosecutor Martins Akala informed the judge that authorities had instructed them to withdraw the case. The court accepted the request and dismissed the charges.

Speaking after the ruling, Farotimi’s lawyer, Kembi Adejare, welcomed the decision. He noted that the same authorities who brought the case also decided to drop it, stating, “They put the chains, they removed the chains. Why should we complain?”

With this ruling, the case against Dele Farotimi has officially ended.