
By Bukola Kayode
Legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has finally agreed to withdraw the defamation cases filed against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Related story: https://frontlinenews.com.ng/defamation-read-full-petition-by-afe-babalola-against-dele-farotimi/
Farotimi was arrested and prosecuted but later granted bail over allegations of defamation as contained in a petition sent to the police by legal luminary, Afe Babalola (SAN)
Farotimi whose arrest has divided the public was arraigned over alleged defamation of character contained in his new book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ where he alleged, among others, that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, had compromised the Supreme Court.
Babalola who is the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti announced his decision to withdraw suits filled against Farotimi in the wee hours of Monday after a midnight meeting with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers.
Also in attendance were the Chairman, 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.
The nonagenarian, who spoke on the value of Yoruba traditional institution said, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”
He said, “If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered. I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.
“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.
“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.”
Intervening on behalf of the of Yoruba monarchs the Ooni, had requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court, assuring him that “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.”
Ogunwusi, commended Babalola on his contributions to the development of Yoruba land, Nigeria, and the world, saying, “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.
“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, you may not know him, we give birth to different children in this world, some are tough, some are soft, some are hard. Why we are here is our ethos as a race.”
“We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you, enough, enough and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our way, we have done the needful”, the Ooni further said.
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