Renowned legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has escalated his grievances against Lagos-based lawyer Dele Farotimi over alleged defamation. Through his law firm, Babalola has filed a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), requesting the removal of Farotimi’s name from Nigeria’s roll of legal practitioners.
The petition accuses Farotimi of violating multiple provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers, citing defamatory statements and alleged misconduct in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The 90-page petition, signed by Ola Faro, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., outlines several breaches, including alleged false accusations of corruption against the Supreme Court, high-ranking judges, and members of Babalola’s law firm.
Key Allegations Against Farotimi
The petition alleges that Farotimi engaged in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner, including:
- Making false accusations of corruption against the Supreme Court and prominent legal professionals.
- Participating in alleged unlawful activities, such as bribing judicial officers and gaining unauthorized access to judges.
- Misrepresenting facts and law in a Supreme Court case.
- Assisting clients in illegal and fraudulent activities.
- Displaying unprofessional behavior towards fellow lawyers and the judiciary.
- Obstructing justice and attempting to undermine a Supreme Court decision.
According to the petition, Farotimi also used “uncouth, unprofessional, and offensive language” against the judiciary, accused judicial officers without filing formal complaints, and revealed that he discussed pending cases with judges outside legal procedures.
The petitioners stated that these actions threaten the dignity of the legal profession, tarnish the judiciary’s reputation, and undermine public trust in the justice system.
Call for Disciplinary Action
Babalola’s firm asserts that Farotimi’s actions not only violate ethical standards but also aim to discredit Nigeria’s judiciary and legal profession. The petition seeks to uphold the integrity of the legal system and protect its practitioners from reputational harm.
Judicial Actions Against Farotimi
Farotimi recently faced legal setbacks, including a decision by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court to bar him from further publishing, selling, or distributing his controversial book. His bail application hearing has also been adjourned, and he was remanded in custody.
Role of the LPDC
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee serves as the regulatory body responsible for investigating and addressing professional misconduct among Nigerian lawyers. The LPDC ensures that practitioners adhere to ethical and professional standards to maintain public confidence in the legal profession.
This ongoing case underscores the importance of ethical practice and accountability within the legal profession, as it navigates the balance between free expression and professional conduct.
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Opeoluwa Benson – Content Researcher
