By Okeke Eunice
Aare Afe Babalola SAN, Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, agreed early Monday to drop the legal actions he had filed against activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Babalola had previously filed a complaint with the police commissioner in Ekiti State, accusing Farotimi of defamation in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”. This led to Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent appearance before two courts in Ekiti.
Farotimi faced charges of criminal defamation in an Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, as well as charges of cyber-bullying in the Ado Ekiti Division of the Federal High Court.
However, following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent traditional leaders at a midnight meeting, Babalola stated that he had decided to withdraw the criminal case, adding, “I will instruct my lawyers to withdraw the case.”
Also present were the Chairman of the 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.
Babalola, who emphasized the significance and influence of the Yoruba traditional institution, remarked, “The monarchs are here, and they have appealed to me regarding a criminal charge involving someone who accused me of corruption.”
The senior advocate expressed his dismay over Farotimi’s accusation that he won all his cases through corrupt means, which led him to initially reject all previous requests to settle the matter outside the court.
He mentioned several individuals who had urged him to resolve the issue outside of court, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.
Babalola explained, “If you read through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will see that he criticized many judges by name, including Supreme Court judges, and yet no one seems concerned, but I am. I am troubled because of where I started my life, from the farm to where I am now.”
He continued, “There’s nothing I would gain from his imprisonment or from any so-called damages. I am not seeking more wealth; my focus is on how to use what I have to benefit others. The only time I find happiness is when I give.”
“The request is simple, remove this criminal case from court. When Obasanjo wrote to me and came here, I refused. When Kukah called and visited, I still said no. But today, I am saying yes. Thank you, Kabiyesis. I will instruct my lawyers to withdraw the case.”
Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, the Ooni urged Babalola to drop the case, assuring him that “no one can damage your reputation. Your name is worth more than silver and gold, and you have always protected it with the message that no one can undermine it.”
Ogunwusi, who acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria, and the world, added, “We (the monarchs) came here to discuss the issue with him, and he gave us full respect and agreed.”
He continued, “As obas, we can testify to Aare Afe Babalola’s hard work and how he has invested deeply to build his name. No one can tarnish or degrade it. Aare Afe Babalola has shown the world how much he values his name, and the world has heard him loud and clear.”
“Baba, we are here to make an appeal and, as part of our heritage, to guide you. Dele Farotimi is your son, though you may not know him. We, as a people, have different types of children—some are tough, some are gentle, and some are difficult. Our presence here reflects the values of our race.”
The Ooni continued, “We are speaking from the standpoint of our race because many of our elders in Yorubaland and beyond have already voiced their opinions. By joining forces with the traditional institution, we want to emphasize that we have heard you, and that is enough. Your reputation remains intact. We have resolved this matter in our own way, and we have done what needed to be done.”
In a petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Afe Babalola accused Dele Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, of defaming him.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying. After his arraignment in a magistrate court, he was remanded in custody.
The accusations stemmed from claims in Farotimi’s book, which alleged that Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria were involved in influencing Supreme Court justices through corruption.