Afe Babalola Withdraws Defamation Suit Against Dele Farotimi

Renowned lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola, has agreed to withdraw his criminal defamation suit against human rights activist Dele Farotimi.

This decision comes after a meeting with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba monarchs, who intervened in the matter.

Babalola had instituted the suit against Farotimi following the publication of a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” which allegedly contained defamatory statements against him.

However, after the monarchs’ intervention, Babalola decided to forgive Farotimi and withdraw the suit, stating that he had nothing to gain from Farotimi’s imprisonment.

The visit by the Ooni to the elder statesman’s residence at Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) was to plead with him to withdraw the suit.

The Ooni, who arrived at ABUAD at about 10.30 pm, was accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers.

Earlier, the Ooni had said Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution had been following the development keenly.

The traditional ruler said that he and others resolved to intervene so that Mr Babalola can pardon his son, Mr Farotimi.”

He commended the legal icon for building his integrity over the years and urged him not to relent following the development.

NAN reports that the meeting ended at about midnight

NAN also recalls that Mr Babalola recently sued Mr Farotimi at an Ekiti Magistrates’ court, claiming criminal defamation in the latter’s controversial book, ” Nigeria and its Criminal Justice system.”

The court granted Mr Farotimi N30 million bail.