Afe Babalola Withdraws Lawsuits Against Dele Farotimi After Monarchs’ Intervention

The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Afe Babalola (SAN), has agreed to withdraw legal cases against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi. This followed the intervention of the Ooni of Ife and other Yoruba traditional rulers.

Babalola had filed a petition with the Ekiti State police commissioner, accusing Farotimi of defamation in his book titled, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi was subsequently arrested and arraigned in court.

Farotimi faced charges of criminal defamation and cyberbullying in both a magistrate court and a federal high court in Ado Ekiti. Babalola initially resisted appeals to drop the charges but later reconsidered.

“The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. When Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it,” he said.

The intervention meeting was held at Afe Babalola University, with monarchs including the 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 expressed his deep concerns over allegations of corruption in the book but emphasized that he sought no personal gain from the case. 

“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give,” he declared.

The Ooni of Ife reassured Babalola that his reputation remained intact and praised his contributions to society. He emphasized the Yoruba cultural values of unity and reconciliation in resolving the matter.

“Nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name,” Ooni added.

Ogunwusi, who acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria and the world, said, “We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.”

“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested so hard to build his name. The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name and the world has heard him clearly,” he concluded.