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Afe Babalola withdraws defamation suit against Farotimi

Afe Babalola withdraws defamation suit against Farotimi

Aare Afe Babalola, a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, has decided to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.

This decision comes after significant pressure from various influential figures and traditional rulers within the Yoruba community.

The legal dispute began when Afe Babalola accused Dele Farotimi of defamation in his book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”

The allegations led to Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent arraignment in two separate courts in Ekiti State: one for criminal defamation at an Ekiti State Magistrate Court and another for alleged cyber-bullying at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.

READ ALSO: DEFAMATION DEBATE: Between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi, by Yushau Shuaib

The Magistrate’s Court had set a hearing date for February 13, while the Federal High Court was scheduled to convene on January 29.

Influence of traditional rulers

The turning point in this case occurred during a midnight meeting attended by several Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

These monarchs appealed to Babalola to reconsider his stance on the lawsuit. They emphasized that his reputation was well-established and could not be tarnished by accusations made by Farotimi.

The Ooni expressed that Babalola’s name held significant value, urging him to show leniency towards Farotimi.

Babalola initially resisted calls from notable figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Mathew Kukah to withdraw the case but ultimately agreed after discussions with the traditional leaders.

He articulated that he had nothing to gain from pursuing legal action against Farotimi or seeking damages, emphasizing his desire to focus on philanthropy rather than personal wealth accumulation.

In light of these developments, Afe Babalola has instructed his lawyers to formally withdraw the defamation suit against Dele Farotimi. This resolution reflects cultural ethos among Yoruba leaders who prioritize reconciliation and community over conflict.

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