A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has struck out a criminal defamation suit filed against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi by Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University. The court’s decision follows a notice of discontinuance filed by police prosecutor Samson Osobu.
The suit was withdrawn after Aare Afe Babalola pardoned Farotimi on Sunday evening, following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba monarchs.
Farotimi’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, confirmed that his client had agreed to the discontinuance but noted that other cases related to the matter are still pending in different courts, including:
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Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court
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Oyo
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Ogun
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Port Harcourt
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Abuja
Olumide-Fusika advised his client not to comment on the issue until the other cases are resolved. Farotimi was present in court, dressed in white, but declined to speak with journalists.