Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, a managing partner at Afe Babalola & Co., has filed a ₦500 million lawsuit against Dele Farotimi, alleging defamation in connection with Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The legal action, initiated at the FCT High Court in Abuja, also seeks an order to halt the distribution of the controversial book. Ogunwumiju claims the publication contains defamatory statements portraying him, the law firm, and its lawyers as unethical practitioners who engage in bribing judges and manipulating the judiciary.
Excerpts from the 104-page book accuse the firm of “compromising the integrity of the Supreme Court,” “scheming with crooked lawyers and incompetent justices,” and “doctoring” judicial outcomes.
“The words complained of are not only false but also malicious, reckless, and defamatory,” the suit alleges. Ogunwumiju strongly denies any involvement in judicial corruption, emphasizing his long-standing ethical practice in handling high-profile cases.
This lawsuit adds to Farotimi’s mounting legal troubles. Criminal defamation and cybercrime charges, prompted by Afe Babalola’s petition to the police, are already pending against him in both the Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
In the latest suit, filed on December 6, Ogunwumiju demands ₦500 million in damages and a ban on the book’s sale and distribution. Despite legal actions, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System has gained significant traction, achieving a top spot on Amazon’s bestseller list following police actions against Farotimi last week.
On Tuesday, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado Ekiti adjourned its decision on Farotimi’s bail application until December 20. This came a day after the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti granted him ₦50 million bail in the cybercrime case.
Farotimi, who denies all charges, attended court proceedings in handcuffs on both Monday and Tuesday.
