Yoruba Leaders Intervene: Afe Babalola Agrees to Drop Suit Against Dele Farotimi
In a remarkable act of reconciliation, legal icon Afe Babalola has announced his readiness to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against Lagos lawyer, Dele Farotimi. The decision follows a visit by a delegation of prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who visited Babalola at his residence at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado Ekiti on Sunday night.
The delegation, which included other influential figures such as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, arrived at Babalola’s residence around 10:30 pm. The Ooni had come to plead with the legal giant to reconsider his stance and withdraw the defamation suit against Farotimi, who had published a book allegedly defaming Babalola.
The Ooni expressed that the Yoruba traditional leadership had been closely monitoring the situation and, after much deliberation, decided to intervene in the interest of peace. He urged Babalola to “pardon his son,” referring to Farotimi, and praised the legal luminary for his years of integrity and contributions to the legal profession.
In a response filled with grace, Babalola acknowledged the numerous appeals he had received from several eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah, urging him to drop the case. With the heartfelt plea of the traditional rulers, Babalola stated that he felt compelled to end the legal battle, emphasizing that there was no benefit in seeing Farotimi imprisoned.
Babalola assured the delegation that he would instruct his lawyers to withdraw the case, bringing an end to the contentious issue. The meeting, which aimed to restore harmony, concluded around midnight, marking a moment of resolution in a case that had stirred considerable attention.
The lawsuit, filed in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, stemmed from Farotimi’s controversial book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which Babalola claimed defamed him. The court had previously granted Farotimi a N30 million bail. With the intervention of the traditional rulers, it seems a peaceful resolution is now on the horizon.
