The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), and senior advocate, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has agreed to withdraw criminal defamation charges against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
This decision came after appeals from prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other esteemed Ekiti traditional rulers. During a meeting at the ABUAD campus, the monarchs collectively urged the legal luminary to drop the charges as a gesture of reconciliation and unity.
Among the dignitaries present were the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejuyigbe; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, among others.
Farotimi faces charges of criminal defamation and cybercrime in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti. The charges stem from allegations in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” which accused Afe Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
After pleading not guilty, Farotimi was initially remanded by the Magistrates’ Court before being granted bail of N30 million. Similarly, the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti admitted him to bail in the sum of N50 million.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with Babalola in the early hours of Monday, Oba Ogunwusi expressed gratitude to Aare Babalola for his understanding and magnanimity.
He highlighted the significance of the intervention, noting that Yoruba leaders and stakeholders had been closely monitoring the situation and felt compelled to appeal to Babalola for leniency towards Farotimi.
Hear him: “You have built your name and integrity over the years, and no one can tarnish that,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “We are proud of you and what you stand for.
“This is a lesson for us as a race, and while it may not be your wish, we appeal to you to make this concession for the sake of unity and the Yoruba people.”
“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,” Oba Ogunwusi added.
In his response to the appeal by the monarchs, Babalola said that he had received several letters and calls on the issue, particularly from notable Nigerians including former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Kukah but said that he rejected their appeal
Babalola added that he had nothing to gain in the imprisonment of Farotimi, saying that with Ooni and other monarchs intervention, he had no option but to accede to their request.
The Elder statesman said that he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case before the court.
He said: “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, on how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.
“The request is simple. When Olusegun Obasanjo came, I said no, when Rev Mathew Kukah came, I said no. I have their letters here but on this occasion, I say yes.”
Credit: The Nation except headline
