In a dramatic turn of events, eminent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has agreed to withdraw criminal defamation charges against a human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The decision was facilitated by prominent Yoruba monarchs, including Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who appealed to Babalola to drop the charges.
Babalola had initially rejected appeals from notable Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, but agreed to withdraw the charges after the plea of the traditional rulers.
Farotimi was facing criminal defamation and cybercrime charges at an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, over allegations in his book: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, which accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
However, the case took a dramatic turn when prominent Yoruba monarchs led by Oba Ogunwusi intervened. The traditional rulers had seen the defamation case as a threat to the unity and stability of the Yoruba nation, and had decided to act.
In a closed door meeting with Babalola on Sunday midnight at ABUAD’s White Rock in Ado-Ekiti, which lasted for four hours, the monarchs appealed to him to withdraw the defamation case against Farotimi.
A source privy to the meeting said the monarchs told Babalola that the case was causing tension and division among Nigerians, and that it was in the best interest of the country for it to be withdrawn.
Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, shortly after the meeting, described the deliberation as very successful, saying the legal icon had agreed to forgive and withdraw the defamation case against Farotimi.
The first-class monarch hailed the legal icon for building his integrity over the years, noting that his reputation remained untarnished.
“We are coming together as a race to take this thing from you. Baba, you have told the world and they have heard you clearly. We can see that you have fought every battle to sustain that name you have built.
“Nobody can undermine your name. You have proved to the world that this is what you stand for. We are very proud of you. It’s a lesson for us as a race. We want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. It is not your wish, but we are taking it because of the race.
‘’Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, you may not know him, we give birth to different children in this world, some are tough, some are soft, some are hard.
“Why we are here is our ethos as a race and we cannot take anything that is so hard for you. We are using the race because our elders too have spoken. Combining traditional institutions is what we are using to take this from you,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
The Nation
