- The Afe Babalola Law Firm petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for Dele Farotimi's removal from the Nigerian legal roll over alleged misconduct
- The petition against Dele Farotimi claimed that he breached professional conduct by making defamatory statements about judges and obstructing justice in his book
- Dele Farotimi faces multiple charges, including defamation, cyberbullying, and attempts to tarnish judicial reputations, as he remains remanded in prison
The Law Firm of Afe Babalola has formally submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), requesting the removal of human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.
The 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner at the firm. It accuses Farotimi of breaching several provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for legal practitioners.
The petition is in relation to Farotimi's book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” in which he allegedly made unfounded allegations of corruption against notable members of the Nigerian judiciary, including Supreme Court justices and prominent lawyers such as Aare Afe Babalola SAN, Olu Deramola SAN, and Faro himself.
The petition, which was lodged on behalf of the law firm, alleges that Farotimi’s actions brought disrepute to the Nigerian judiciary. Specific allegations include making false accusations against the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State, and members of the Afe Babalola & Co. chambers.
It also highlights other breaches of conduct, including involvement in unlawful activities with judicial officers, making defamatory statements about judicial officers, and attempting to undermine a decision made by the Supreme Court for personal and client benefit.
Farotimi is further accused of discussing a pending case with a judge in the absence of the opposing lawyer, thereby violating ethical standards. The petition stresses that Farotimi's actions obstructed and delayed the administration of justice, caused damage to the reputation of judicial officers, and violated the dignity of the legal profession.
Additionally, the petition expresses concern that statements made in Farotimi’s book could inflame tensions within the legal profession and society, potentially tarnishing the reputations of the judiciary and the legal community as a whole.
This petition follows a legal battle that saw Farotimi barred by courts in Abuja and Oyo State from publishing, distributing, or circulating his book, which has been labelled defamatory.
Farotimi has also faced multiple charges, including defamation and cyberbullying, stemming from allegations by Babalola that his book defamed him and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).
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