Renowned legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has officially withdrawn criminal defamation charges against human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi. This decision followed appeals from prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other Ekiti monarchs.
Background of the Case
Farotimi was recently arraigned before an Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged defamatory statements in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The court had granted him bail set at ₦30 million.
Babalola had previously resisted appeals from notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, to drop the charges. However, a meeting at the Afe Babalola University campus with Yoruba monarchs led to a change of heart.
Traditional Leaders’ Plea
The Ooni of Ife, speaking after the meeting, emphasized the significance of preserving unity and harmony within the Yoruba race. He described Farotimi as a “son” of the Yoruba nation and urged Babalola to pardon him in the interest of their shared heritage.
“We are proud of the integrity you have built over the years, Baba,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “No one can tarnish your name. This is a lesson for us as a race. We appeal to you, as our elder, to let this go for the sake of unity.”
Other prominent monarchs present included the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyuyigbe, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu, and several others from Ekiti.
Babalola’s Response
In his response, Afe Babalola acknowledged the overwhelming pressure from respected leaders and conceded to the monarchs’ appeal.
“There is nothing to gain from his imprisonment,” Babalola stated. “I am not interested in damages or wealth but in giving back to others. Though I rejected appeals from Obasanjo and Kukah, I cannot turn down the request of our revered traditional leaders.”
The elder statesman confirmed he had instructed his lawyers to discontinue the case, marking the end of the legal dispute.
A Lesson in Unity
This resolution highlights the influence of traditional institutions in fostering unity and reconciliation, even in the face of personal grievances. For Babalola, it is a testament to his enduring legacy as a peacemaker and a man of integrity.
COMMENT
This is why we are not making progress in this country. Why will he be asked to withdraw the case? Farotimi said he has incriminating evidence to give in court, why not allow the case to proceed in court so we can know why the judiciary has lost intergrity and also take actions to restore confidence. Now that he is withdrawing the case, that means business as usual continues. This paddy paddy way of killing cases that could help improve our processes is not helping us. Afe Babalola was just trying to intimidate and also to show his power and connections. He knows what he did in his mind and he also knows the best way to save himself from shame is to withdraw and kill the case. I don’t think there will be any redemption for this country with the way we conceal and protect wrong deeds.
The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has accepted to withdraw charges against Human Rights Activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi who is facing criminal defamation charges.
This followed the appeal by foremost Yoruba Monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and other prominent Ekiti monarchs. They pleaded with legal icon to drop the charges during a meeting with him at ABUAD campus.
Other prominent monarchs present at the parley were the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, among others.
Farotimi is facing criminal defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
The defamation charge stems from the allegations in Farotimi’s book entitled “Nigeria and its criminal justice system” that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
Upon his not guilty plea, the Magistrates’ Court remanded the human right lawyer and later admitted him to N30m bail. The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, also granted him N50m bail.
Addressing newsmen after a closed- door meeting with Babalola in Ado-Ekiti at the wee hours on Monday, Oba Ogunwusi, said Yoruba leaders and stakeholders were following the event keenly and had to appeal to Aare Babalola to Pardon his son, Farotimi.
He commended Babalola for building his integrity over the years adding that no one could rubbish his name.
“We are coming together as a race to take this thing from you. Baba, you have told the world and they have heard you clearly. We can see that you have fought every battle to sustain that name you have built.
“Nobody can rubbish your name. You have proven to the world that this is what you stand for. We are very proud of you. It’s a lesson for us as a race. We want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. It is not your wish but we are taking it because of the race.
“Dele Farotimi is your son and you might not know him. Why we are here is our ethos as a race and we cannot take anything that is so hard for you. We are using the race because our elders too have spoken. Combining traditional institutions is what we are using to take this from you,” Oba Ogunwusi added.
In his response to the appeal by the monarchs, Babalola said that he had received several letters and calls on the issue, particularly from notable Nigerians including former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Kukah but said that he rejected their appeal.
Babalola added that he had nothing to gain in the imprisonment of Farotimi, saying that with Ooni and other monarchs intervention, he had no option but to accede to their request.
The Elder statesman said that he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case before the court.
He said: “There is nothing I am going to gain by his imprisonment. If I sue him, there is nothing I will gain from any damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather, on how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.
“The request is simple. When Olusegun Obasanjo came, I said no, when Rev Mathew Kukah came, I said no. I have their letters here but on this occasion, I say yes.”
