Afe Babalola finally withdraws suit against Farotimi…here’s what to know
Photo credit: Farotimi/Age Babalola
After a series of legal adjudications, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has withdrawn the criminal defamatory suit he filed against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The force behind this decision according to TVC News was an appeal by the Ooni of Ife and other traditional rulers that intervened on the issue.
What to know about the appeal
According to PunchOnline, on Sunday night January 26th, the Ooni arrived at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado Ekiti accompanied by prominent Yoruba leaders like Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejinmi Adu, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Aladejare Agunsoye II and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti who doubles as Chairman, Ekiti Council Of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ilori Faboro, top management of the school and the legal team involved in the case. They met with Afebabalola and agreed to resolve the case through an alternative dispute resolution method known by the Yoruba people. They called the case, a conflict between father and son and pleaded that Afebabalola should forgive Farotimi and let go of the case.
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“We have come today to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son; Dele Farotimi and what we want from him is to withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi today.
“Aare Afe Babalola, you are an elder statesman, you have seen it all, you are one of the iconic voices in this country, a great man per excellence, you are a rare breed who has excelled in everything you have touched in this life, a very God fearing elder stateman, above all, you are one of the proponents of the Yoruba ethos of Omoluwabi which has been your strongest value that you hold in our country.
This is what we are using to bring down the tempo of what has happened between you and your son Dele Farotimi. We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elder statesman. You have done great things for this race and Nigeria such that your name can never be forgotten.”
“We’ve all come together as traditional Rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him. As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name can not be messed with”.
After their words of appeal, Afebabalola accepted their speech and said, “Today is a very important day for me, I’m a Yoruba man and I’m very proud to be one. Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former president Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening., my answer to them has been “NO” but today my answer is “YES”
I hereby withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi”
The background of the case
The genesis of dispute between Afebabalola and Dele Farotimi stemmed from some revelations made by Farotimi in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The book contains some indictments of corruption and criminal involvement by Afebabalola within the Nigerian judicial system. Feeling aggrieved, Babalola initiated legal action, leading to Farotimi’s arrest by Ekiti State’s policemen in Lagos. Farotimi was arrested on charges of criminal defamation and cyberbullying in Ekiti State courts.
Afebabalola wrote a petition to to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), asking them to Disbar Dele Farotimi for unethical conduct but it was rejected. Babalola also asked the court to order the restriction and removal of the said book of contention on Amazon because, at the time of the case, the book was a best-seller on Amazon.
Dele Farotimi however stated that he is innocent and that whatever he has written is just the truth. He also believed that Afe Babalola used Ekiti authorities to abduct him unlawfully the offense he was alleged to have committed was done in Lagos. And no law in Ekiti stated defamation as criminality.
However, Farotimi was detained by the police amidst the uproar by the majority of Nigerians who called for his immediate release. Human rights and social groups including top political figures like Atiku, Obi, and Falana were among the voices that called for Farotimi’s release.
After a few court appearances, Farotimi was granted 50M bail, with two sureties that have landed properties in Ekiti State. He was released on 24th December 2024 but was asked not to grant any media interview.
Ideological tension
On a deeper level, the issue between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi transcends a mere clash of opinions; it is a reflection of Nigeria’s ideological divide regarding its path to progress. Afe Babalola, a renowned legal icon and elder statesman, has long publicly advocated for suspending the 2023 general elections in favor of establishing an interim government.a complete constitutional overhaul as a remedy for Nigeria’s systemic dysfunction. His argument is rooted in the belief that the current constitution perpetuates corruption, inefficiency, and inequality, making reform through it nearly impossible.
On the other hand, Dele Farotimi, a passionate activist and lawyer, challenges this perspective with fiery rhetoric that emphasizes mass awakening and grassroots revolution. Farotimi dismisses the notion of interim governance as an elitist solution that sidelines the will of the people, insisting instead on the power of collective action to dismantle the entrenched structures of oppression. Farotimi describes Nigeria’s governance as an “evil empire” sustained by poverty, ignorance, and fear, and calls on Nigerians to dismantle a system that oppresses rather than serves them..
While some Nigerians are applauding Afe Babalola for acting like a father and forgiving Farotimi, others have clapped back at the SAN saying he has given in to pressure. Many Nigerians especially youths are chanting that’s it is Farotimi’s victory over Afe Babalola and injustice. Well, till there is an official statement to the effect of the court case withdrawal, as it is now, all fingers are still crossed.
