Renowned Lawyer, Afe Babalola SAN, has decided to withdraw the defamation and cyberbullying suit he brought against lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
Babalola’s decision followed the intervention of Yoruba monarchs, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during a midnight meeting at ABUAD, attended by several traditional rulers, including the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu.
Babalola had sued Farotimi on criminal grounds alleging defamation, following the release of the latter’s book, ”Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
In the book, the activist accused Babalola of corruption and winning cases through improper means. Farotimi was subsequently arraigned before two courts in Ekiti State.
Babalola had initially refused to drop the cases, citing the severity of the accusations despite previous appeals from prominent figures like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop Mathew Kukah, and Oba Adejugbe.
He said, “I felt so bad that he accused me of corruption. If you go through the pamphlet, you will see he attacked many judges by name. None of them is bothered, but I am, because of how I started life,” Babalola said.
He added, “There is nothing I will gain from his imprisonment or damages. I am not in quest of more wealth but to use what I have for the benefit of others.”
The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, urged Babalola to forgive and withdraw the cases, assuring him that his name and reputation remain untarnished.
“Your name is more than silver and gold. Nobody can tarnish your name. You have proven to the world that you cherish your name,” Ogunwusi said.
Acknowledging Babalola’s contributions to Nigeria and Yoruba culture, Ogunwusi added, “Dele Farotimi is your son. Some children are tough, some are soft. As traditional leaders, we have combined forces and resolved the matter in our way.”
Moved by the monarchs’ appeal, Babalola agreed to instruct his lawyers to withdraw the cases, saying, “Thank you, Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”