...says Afe Babalola believes in rule of law
By Precious Oham
An Advocacy Group, Justice for Afe Babalola Legacy, JABL, has disclosed that the ongoing defamation suit saga between Aare Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi is not targeted at persecuting the Human Rights Lawyer.
The group stated this at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti in solidarity and support of Aare Babalola following the alleged defamation in the book authored by Farotimi entitled: “Nigeria and it’s Criminal Justice System” against Babalola.
The Publicity Secretary/Spokesperson of the group, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa said that Babalola’s reputation of over 60 years won’t be rubbished by an emergency Human Rights advocate.
He said: “Aare Afe Babalola cannot be rubbished by upstarts or emergency human rights advocates, whose stock in trade is to trade in lies and bullying.
“Advocacy is not the same things as peddling lies and resolutely failing to present as much as a shred of evidence to backup claims that has been permanently put into a self-published book.
“As a decent Nigerian, Aare Afe Babalola has steadfastly advocated cases in the law courts from one region to other regions in Nigeria, he believes in the rule of law and remains an unrepentant devotee of the law.
“We are in the courts. We are determined to fight on intrepidly. Mr. Dele Farotimi has nothing to fear but the reward of his actions as prescribed by the law-nothing more, nothing short. Mr. Dele Farotimi read law and has practiced law for a while in the country, perhaps, many of his followers are not lawyers, hence the resort to the court of the public where they are clamoring with all kinds of illogicality.
“We are not distracted. We are focused. We shall remain in the courts and ensure that justice is served to both Aare Afe Babalola, SAN and Mr. Dele Fatorimi. Both Aare Afe Babalola and Mr. Dele Farotimi shall have their day in the court(s), we don’t have to develop high blood pressure about this fact.
“Our story is simple, which is that Mr. Dele Farotimi is not under any weight of persecution, rather he is facing prosecutorial process. Let us be guided by this truth and leave needless distractions.”
The Convener of JABL, Femi Alufa reiterated the commitment of the group to uphold the legacy of Babalola adding that they believe in his honour and reputation, sense of social responsibility and serving humanity with passion.
He believes that truth will prevail at the end of the day noting that “no humongous of big lies and defamation that can rubbish Babalola’s legacy.”