The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola has agreed to drop all defamation charges against the human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The decision of Babalola was sequel to the intervention of the Ooni of Ife and other prominent Obas in the country.
Farotimi had authored a book “Nigeria and it’s Criminal Justice System where he alleged that Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the supreme Court.
This development led to his arrest and arraigned in court for defamation.
Addressing newsmen at the school premises in Ado Ekiti, Aare Babalola said today is a special day to him because he is a Yoruba man and very proud to be one.
He said different traditional ruler and personalities both within and outside the country have been on his kneck to pardon Farotimi including Bishop Kukah and Obasanjo.
He said as a Yoruba man, he has no choice than to obey the commandments of the traditional institutions led by Ooni adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.
He said:”I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why any one would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.
I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment, I am happy each time I give.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi had earlier appealed passionately to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter including former president Obasanjo to please pardon Dele Farotimi.
The monarch praised Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation and the world at large.
He said Afe Babalola has done things that inscribed his name in gold, he said the traditional institution is proud of him.
He said:”We all came together to discuss the matter with him and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.
Ooni said the Obas can attest to the hard work of Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be ternished and rubbished by anyone.
He said Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has heard him loud and clear.
Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children.
He appealed to Babalola to drop charges against Farotimi
