Afe Babalola drops defamation suit against Dele Farotimi after Ooni, others’ intervention

Renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has agreed to withdraw the defamation and cyberbullying cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

This decision comes after the intervention of Yoruba monarchs, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The legal icon was urged to forgive Farotimi and end the cases by the monarchs who met at midnight in ABUAD.

Ogunwusi assured Babalola that his name and reputation remain untarnished, stating, “Your name is more than silver and gold. Nobody can make your name tarnish. You have shown that you value your name to the world.

In attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju, and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

The senior advocate reiterated the significance of the Yoruba traditional institution and how influential it was, saying, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving someone who claimed to be corrupt.”

According to Persecondnews, Babalola initially declined to drop the cases, citing Farotimi’s level of repression in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

However, after the monarchs ‘ appeal, Babalola agreed to instruct his lawyers to withdraw the cases.

“I felt so bad that he accused me of corruption… But I am not in quest of more wealth but to use what I have for the benefit of others”, Babalola said, adding “Thank you, Kabiyesis. I’ll get back to my attorneys so they can withdraw it.

According to Persecondnews, Farotimi was detained by Ekiti State Police Command officers in Lagos and taken to Ado-Ekiti where he was facing a 16-count criminal defamation and cyberbullying charge.

He was arraigned in a magistrates’ court, remanded in Ado Ekiti, and released a day before Christmas in December 2024.

Source: Per Second News