Afe Babalola Petitions LPDC, Wants Farotimi Removed From Lawyersโ€™ List

Mr. Afe Babalola

The Law Firm of Afe Babalola has submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee seeking the removal of a lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.

The petition alleged that Farotimi violated certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.

The 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner at the firm.

Faro was also referenced in Farotimiโ€™s book, โ€œNigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.โ€, Channels reports.

The petition was titled โ€œPetition against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi esq), a Nigerian lawyer called to the Nigerian bar with his name on the roll of legal practitioners kept by the Supreme Court for violation of the extant Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners Rules 1, 15(1), 15(2b), 15(3a), 15(3g), 15(3i), 15(3j), 26(1), 27(1), 30, 31(1), (2) and (4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023 by bringing the entire judiciary in Nigeria into disrepute with his unfounded allegations of corruption against eminent justices of the supreme court of Nigeria, judges of high court of Lagos state, Aare Afe Babalola san, Olu Deramola, SAN, Ola Faro esq, and the entire chambers of Afe Babalola & co in his book titled โ€˜Nigeria and its criminal justice system.โ€

Faro, who clarified that he was writing both in his personal capacity and โ€œon behalf of the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co.โ€, outlined the background of the case and detailed the alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct by Farotimi.

According to the petition, Farotimi was accused of engaging in conduct that was unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.

The petitioners further alleged that Farotimi participated in unlawful conduct, specifically by bribing judicial officers and gaining unlawful access to a judicial officer.

Faro stated, โ€œHe joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer. He gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer. He knowingly made a false statement of law and facts with respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.

โ€œHe assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent. Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner. Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill feelings between opposing clients to influence his conduct and demeanour by distorting the facts of a case in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.

โ€œFailed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court. Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and the benefit of his client who lost at the Supreme Court.

โ€œTreated the court, particularly the Supreme Court without respect, dignity and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court. Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.

He added, โ€œIndicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer. The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.โ€

They further noted that some statements in Farotimiโ€™s book have the potential to inflame the legal profession and society.

These statements, they claimed, were made to discredit the Nigerian judiciary, including Justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State and their law firm, and to subject them to ridicule within the legal community, thereby damaging their hard-earned reputation and financial standing.

This came after a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and Oyo State High Court barred Farotimi from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the hard or soft copies of his book, โ€˜Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice Systemโ€™.

Farotimi was arrested and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ekiti State as well as an Ekiti State Magistratesโ€™ Court, Ado-Ekiti over the controversial book.

The charges revolve around defamation and cyberbullying, based on a petition filed by Babalola, who alleged that Farotimi defamed him in his book.

According to the police, Farotimiโ€™s book accuses Babalola and other SANs of corrupting justices of the Supreme Court.

Following his arraignment, Farotimi has been remanded in prison.

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