Afe Babalola Withdraws Defamation Cases Against Farotimi

The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, announced on Monday that he has agreed to withdraw the criminal cases filed against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Babalola had petitioned the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, alleging that Farotimi defamed him in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

The petition led to Farotimi’s arrest and arraignment before two courts in Ekiti State, the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, for alleged cyber-bullying.

However, after a midnight meeting mediated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers, Babalola agreed to withdraw the charges.

Speaking at ABUAD, he said, “The monarchs are here, and they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt. I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

The meeting was attended by prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and 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; the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

Babalola emphasized the significance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence of its leaders.

He acknowledged appeals from prominent figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bishop Mathew Kukah, and Oba Adejugbe, but noted that it was the collective intervention of the monarchs that finally persuaded him.

The senior advocate had been deeply aggrieved by Farotimi’s allegations that he won his cases through corruption, rejecting earlier pleas to resolve the matter outside court.

The decision to withdraw the case has been met with relief by stakeholders, with Farotimi previously thanking Nigerians for their support and public outcry against his arrest and detention.

This resolution highlights the enduring influence of traditional rulers in conflict resolution within the Yoruba community.

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