- Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, withdrew criminal defamation charges against Dele Farotimi after a heartfelt appeal from Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife
- Prominent Yoruba monarchs, led by Ooni Ogunwusi, urged Babalola to forgive Farotimi, emphasizing unity and the importance of upholding the Yoruba ethos.
- Acknowledging numerous appeals, Babalola chose reconciliation, stating that he sought no personal gain from the charges and valued giving over wealth accumulation
Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, has decided to withdraw the criminal defamation charges against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
This move follows a heartfelt appeal from leading Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Ekiti traditional rulers, who urged the respected legal luminary to reconsider the charges.
The meeting, held at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) campus, saw the attendance of notable rulers such as the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti.
Following a private meeting with Babalola in Ado-Ekiti early on Monday, Janaury 27, Oba Ogunwusi addressed reporters, stating that Yoruba leaders and stakeholders felt it was essential to encourage Aare Babalola to forgive Farotimi in the spirit of unity.
In his address, Oba Ogunwusi conveyed: “We are coming together as a race to take this thing from you. Baba, you have told the world and they have heard you clearly. We can see that you have fought every battle to sustain that name you have built. Nobody can rubbish your name. You have proven to the world that this is what you stand for. We are very proud of you. It’s a lesson for us as a race. We want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. It is not your wish but we are taking it because of the race.”
The monarch further added, “Dele Farotimi is your son and you might not know him. Why we are here is our ethos as a race and we cannot take anything that is so hard for you. We are using the race because our elders too have spoken. Combining traditional institutions is what we are using to take this from you.”
In response to the monarchs' appeal, Babalola acknowledged that he had received numerous letters and phone calls regarding the matter, including from prominent figures such as former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah.
Despite initially rejecting their requests, Babalola expressed his decision to comply with the Yoruba monarchs' plea.
Babalola explained, “There is nothing I am going to gain by his imprisonment. If I sue him, there is nothing I will gain from any damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather, I am focused on how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.”
He further stated, “When Olusegun Obasanjo came, I said no, when Rev. Matthew Kukah came, I said no. I have their letters here but on this occasion, I say yes.”
Afe Babalola set conditions for resolving Dele Farotimi’s defamation case
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Aare Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has reportedly outlined conditions for resolving the ongoing criminal defamation case involving Dele Farotimi, an activist lawyer and a prominent spokesperson for the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign in the 2023 election.
Farotimi, who is currently detained in Ado-Ekiti prison, has been at the centre of a legal battle over alleged defamation. On Monday, December 9, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election reportedly visited Chief Babalola in Ado-Ekiti, accompanied by Sola Ebiseni, the Southwest Coordinator of his campaign.
