Renowned legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, has announced his decision to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against rights activist and author, Dele Farotimi.
The withdrawal of the case was influenced by an appeal spearheaded by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, alongside other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers. The delegation paid a late-night visit to Babalola at his residence within the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
The defamation case stemmed from statements made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which Babalola alleged contained defamatory remarks about him. Despite the court granting Farotimi a N30 million bail, the respected legal luminary has opted to discontinue the legal proceedings.
Intervention by Eminent Nigerians and Traditional Rulers
The Ooni of Ife, accompanied by Yoruba monarchs such as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, and Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, personally visited Babalola to plead for clemency. Arriving at ABUAD around 10:30 pm, the Ooni described Farotimi as “a son” and implored Babalola to extend mercy for the sake of unity within the Yoruba community.
Beyond the intervention of the traditional rulers, notable figures including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah reached out through letters and calls, urging Babalola to withdraw the case.
Babalola’s Statement
In his remarks, Afe Babalola emphasized that he had no personal interest in ensuring Farotimi’s imprisonment. “I have nothing to gain in Farotimi being jailed,” he stated, highlighting his decision to prioritize unity and harmony over pursuing the case.
He expressed deep respect for the intervention of the Yoruba leaders and their efforts to preserve peace within the community.
Conclusion
The meeting between Babalola and the delegation, which extended into midnight, ended with Babalola assuring the traditional rulers that he would formally instruct his lawyers to withdraw the case.
The withdrawal of the suit underscores the influence of community leadership and the role of dialogue in resolving disputes.