Prominent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, announced on Monday that he would withdraw defamation cases against activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi. The decision followed a late-night meeting with Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Farotimi had faced multiple charges stemming from statements in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The activist alleged that Babalola and others influenced judicial outcomes through corrupt practices, prompting the senior advocate to file complaints with the Ekiti State Police. As a result, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos, transported to Ado Ekiti, and arraigned on 16 counts of criminal defamation and cyberbullying. He faced separate trials in both a magistrate court and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.
However, Babalola revealed during the meeting at ABUAD that he was moved by the appeals of Yoruba monarchs and other respected figures to resolve the matter amicably. Those present included Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife; Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti; Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti; and other influential traditional rulers from Ekiti State.
Expressing his initial resistance to dropping the charges, Babalola said, “I felt deeply insulted by the baseless accusations in his book, particularly claims that I achieved legal victories through corrupt means. It was difficult to overlook such an attack on my integrity and life’s work.”
He added that prominent figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, had previously approached him to withdraw the case, but he declined. “It is not about wealth or damages,” he noted. “I am not seeking compensation or retribution. My concern has always been to protect my reputation, which I built from humble beginnings.”
The turning point came when the Ooni and other monarchs appealed to his sense of tradition and forgiveness. Oba Ogunwusi, speaking on behalf of the rulers, emphasized the unshakable respect Babalola commands across Yoruba land and beyond. “Your name is a legacy that cannot be tarnished. We, the traditional rulers, have come together to assure you of this and to plead for reconciliation,” the Ooni stated.
Babalola agreed, saying, “The Kabiyesis have spoken, and I have heard them. I will instruct my lawyers to withdraw the case. There is nothing to gain from imprisonment or damages in this matter.”
The meeting underscored the enduring role of Yoruba traditional institutions in conflict resolution. Oba Ogunwusi highlighted the importance of unity, noting, “Dele Farotimi is like a son to you, even if you may not know him personally. As elders, it is our responsibility to mediate and promote harmony within our community.”
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The allegations against Farotimi originated from a petition dated November 19, 2024, in which Babalola accused the activist of defaming him and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the controversial book. The publication alleged widespread corruption among legal professionals, including accusations of influencing Supreme Court justices.
Although Farotimi had already been arraigned and remanded, Babalola’s decision to withdraw the charges brings an end to the legal proceedings, signaling a gesture of reconciliation after weeks of tension.
