*Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, and Founder of Afe Babalola University, in Ado Ekiti, Eikiti State of Nigeria, explains how the intervention of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, and other royal fathers, made him to agree to discontinue the criminal cases against Dele Farotimi, an activist and lawyer, over the latter’s alleged defamation in his latest book, affirming ‘I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case’

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Aare Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Founder of Afe Babalola University, in Ado Ekiti, Eikiti State, Monday, January 27, 2025, explained how eventually agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against Mr. Dele Farotimi, an activist and lawyer, over the latter’s alleged defamation in his latest book, entitled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”.

It is recalled that after Aare Babalola鈥檚 petition to the Nigeria Police Commissioner in Ekiti State, that Farotimi has defamed him in his book, the Police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti State.

The allegations against Farotimi emanated from certain claims in his book, accusing Aare Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of influencing Supreme Court justices through corruption over the years.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for purported criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, and for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

Why I agree to withdraw criminal suits against Farotimi, by Babalola

Despite several earlier appeals, and in a volte-face of some sort, Babalola has disclosed how he later decided to withdraw the charges against the activist lawyer at ABUAD, in Ado Ekiti, following the intervention of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, and other top traditional rulers at a recent meeting.

Also in attendance at the midnight meeting 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, report said.

Sequel to the meeting with the monarchs, Babalola reportedly averred: “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.鈥�

On significance of Yoruba traditional institution鈥檚 ethos and influence

Expressing how he felt bad about the alleged defamation by Farotimi in his book, Babalola, however, restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded.

The legal luminary said: 鈥淭he monarchs are here; they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.鈥�

According to him, he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption.

Hence, his basic reason why he initially rejected all earlier appeals to him to withdraw the criminal cases out of court.

Farotimi also defames several Judges and attacks Supreme Court Justices, says Babalola

The Founder of ABUAD further listed those who had earlier appealed to him to take the matter out of court to include former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo; Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; Mr. Peter Obi, ex-Presidential Candidate; and Oba Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.

鈥淚f you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi鈥檚 book), you will find that he attacked many Judges by names; he attacked Supreme Court Judges, and none is bothered. But I am bothered.

“I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am,” he stated.

Babalola further clarified his earlier hardline position on pressing charges against Farotimi.

He said: “There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages.

“I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.”

Appreciating the kind intervention of the royal fathers in the matter, Babalola affirmed: “The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no.

“When Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.鈥�

Ooni to Babalola: Your name is more than silver and gold

In his remarks after the meeting Oba Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of other Yoruba monarchs, had requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court.

He assured Babalola, asserting, 鈥渘obody can tarnish your name.”

The monarch stated: “Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name.鈥�

He equally acknowledged Babalola鈥檚 contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria and the global world.

鈥淲e (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him, and he gave full respect to the Obas and agreed.

鈥淲e, the Obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola, and how he has invested so hard to build his name,” the Ooni said.

Oba Ogunwusi also noted: “The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone.

“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name and the world has heard him clearly.

鈥淏aba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you.”

The royal father averred: “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.鈥�

The Ooni of Ife further said: “We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you, enough, enough and enough.

“Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our own way, we have done the needful.鈥�

It is noted that Aare Babalola, in a petition dated November 19, 2024, and addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, had alleged that defamatory content in Farotimi鈥檚 book tarnished his reputation.

The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Police later arrested Farotimi in Lagos, and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying.

Following his arraignment in a magistrate court, he was remanded in custody.

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