The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti has struck out the criminal charge filed by the police against Lagos-based legal practitioner and author, Dele Farotimi.

Justice Babs Kuewumi dismissed the case following an application by the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu, who informed the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance.

“The matter was scheduled for hearing today, but we have submitted a notice of discontinuance dated January 29, 2025, and filed this morning,” Osobu stated.

There was no objection from Farotimi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika. This allowed Justice Kuewumi to formally strike out the case, declaring, “This case is hereby struck out.”

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Olumide-Fusika confirmed that the matter had been concluded in this court but declined to comment on related cases still pending elsewhere. He also advised Farotimi against granting press interviews on the issue.

Meanwhile, another criminal charge against Farotimi remains pending before the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti. That case, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, and there is speculation that the police may also seek to withdraw that charge.

In addition, several civil cases against Farotimi are ongoing at the FCT High Court in Abuja, as well as the High Courts of Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers states. These cases, filed by lawyers from Afe Babalola Chambers, have led to interim court orders restraining Farotimi or his associates from further printing, publishing, or selling his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

It remains uncertain whether these civil cases will also be discontinued.