Osamagbe Imadiyi
The former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization Afenifere praised renowned lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) for agreeing to drop the defamation lawsuits filed against human rights advocate and attorney Dele Farotimi. In separate interviews, Afenifere and Obi expressed their gratitude.
The legal dispute between Babalola and Farotimi began last year after Babalola claimed that Farotimi had defamed him in a book called “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” Farotimi was taken into custody by the police and charged in two Ekiti courts after Babalola’s petition.
Farotimi was consequently charged with criminal defamation before the Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti and arraigned for alleged cyberbullying before the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti. On December 24, 2024, the activist was released after completing his bail after being remanded for 20 days.
However, after Yoruba monarchs, led by Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, intervened, Babalola declared on Monday morning that he would be dropping the legal actions against Farotimi. Following a midnight meeting with the traditional leaders at ABUAD, Babalola declared, “I will instruct my attorneys to drop the case.”
In response to the news, Afenifere, who had previously demanded Farotimi’s release, praised Babalola for his peace initiative in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi.
According to Afenifere, “Aare Afe Babalola has demonstrated, as a true Yoruba son, certain core ethos of being an Omoluabi” by responding to the traditional rulers’ calls. Similarly, Obi, who had also visited Babalola last year to discuss the issue, characterized Monday’s result as favorable.
“We are happy that this issue has been settled amicably, and we think that this result is a testament to the power of dialogue, and constructive engagement,” stated Ibrahim Umar, the former governor of Anambra, through his media aide. To correct the record, Obi’s visit to Afe Babalola was an actual attempt at intervention and conflict resolution rather than a request for forgiveness for Dele Farotimi”.
