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 monarchs, who had a midnight meeting at ABUAD with the legal icon, urged him to forgive Farotimi and withdraw the cases.

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

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, who restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded, said: “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”

Persecondnews reported that Babalola had initially refused to drop the cases, citing the severity of the accusations made by Farotimi 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 will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”

Persecondnews recalls that Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying.

Following his arraignment in a magistrates’ court, he was remanded in prison in Ado Ekiti and was released after perfecting his bail conditions on the eve of Christmas in December 2024.

The allegations stem from claims in the book accusing Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of influencing and compromising Supreme Court justices.