Renowned legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, has agreed to withdraw his criminal defamation lawsuit against rights activist Dele Farotimi. The decision followed a visit by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, alongside several other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, to Babalola’s residence at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
Babalola had previously taken Farotimi to an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over allegations of defamation stemming from claims made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. The case had garnered significant public attention, with Farotimi being granted bail in the sum of N30 million.
The meeting took place late on Sunday night, with the Ooni and other Yoruba leaders arriving at ABUAD around 10:30 p.m. to appeal for leniency. The traditional rulers accompanying the Ooni included the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti.
During the meeting, Babalola acknowledged receiving numerous calls and letters from eminent figures urging him to reconsider the lawsuit. Among those who reached out were former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah. The legal luminary noted that their collective appeals, along with the personal visit by the Ooni and the traditional rulers, prompted his decision to withdraw the case.
“I have nothing to gain from Farotimi being jailed,” Babalola stated, adding that he would instruct his legal team to discontinue the case.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife remarked that Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution had closely followed the matter and decided to step in. He described Farotimi as a “son” of the Yoruba community and appealed to Babalola’s sense of forgiveness.
Also, a statement signed by Ooni’s Director, Media & Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, confirmed that Babalola honoured the monarchs and granted their requests.
The statement read in part, “The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR, Ojaja II in company of about prominent Yoruba traditional Rulers in Ekiti state was at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) last night to appeal to the founder of the university Aare Afe Babalola to forgive the human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi and withdraw the ongoing criminal case instituted against him.
“Ooni Ogunwusi arrived Ado Ekiti at about 10:08pm last night into the waiting hands of Aare Afe Babalola himself accompanied by the Vice Chancellor Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde Bursar Pastor Joseph Modupe Babalola, the school PRO, Deans of various faculties at the university and the legal team of Afe Babalola handling Farotimi’s criminal case.
“The Ooni briefed the journalists outcome of the meeting which was earlier held close door between Afe Babalola and the Ooni accompanied by 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 that having watched the scenarios surrounding the criminal case instituted against Dele Farotimi with rapt attention, it has become very imperative to apply Alternative Dispute Resolution method which Yoruba race was known for in the past because it’s a case between father and son.
“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 elderstateman, 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 elderstateman, 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 what we are using to bring down the tempo in what has happened between you and your son Dele Farotimi. We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elderstateman. 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 be messed with”.
