Afe Babalola, the 95-year-old senior lawyer has expressed his intention to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi. The case stemmed from Farotimi’s controversial book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which became a bestseller on Amazon and sold out in local bookstores after news of the author’s contentious imprisonment made headlines.
Initially, Chief Babalola had deployed the police to arrest Farotimi in Lagos and transport him to Ekiti sate in a journey that spanned oveer five hours on road. The younger lawwyer was charged to court, where Chief Babalola accused him of criminal defamation. Farotimi had been granted bail set at N30 million. However, Chief Babalola changed his mind about pursuing the case after a significant intervention by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other influential Yoruba leaders.
Plea from Ooni, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other prominent Nigerians
On Sunday night, the Ooni, accompanied by prominent traditional rulers including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, visited the legal luminary at his Afe Babalola University residence in Ado-Ekiti. During the meeting, Babalola revealed that he had received numerous appeals from respected figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Governor Peter Obi, and Bishop Hassan Kukah, urging him to reconsider his legal action against Farotimi.
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After careful consideration of these pleas, Chief Afe Babalola explained that he felt there was no benefit in continuing with the case or pursuing Farotimi’s imprisonment.
Afe Babalola assures traditional rulers
In light of the intervention, Babalola assured the visiting monarchs that he would instruct his lawyers to withdraw the defamation case. The Ooni of Ife, acknowledging Chief Babalola’s longstanding reputation and integrity, urged him to forgive Farotimi, referring to him as “his son.” The monarch praised Babalola for his wisdom and contribution to society, asking him not to relent in his positive influence.