Afe Babalola SAN, the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), has agreed to withdraw the defamation and cyberbullying cases instituted against Dele Farotimi.
Babalola agreed to withdraw the suit following the intervention of Yoruba monarchs, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The decision was made during a midnight meeting at ABUAD, which was attended by several traditional rulers, including 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; and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu.
Recall that Babalola had filed criminal charges against Farotimi for alleged defamation, stemming from claims in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where the activist accused Babalola of corruption and winning cases through improper means. Farotimi was subsequently arraigned before two courts in Ekiti State.
Despite previous appeals from prominent figures like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop Mathew Kukah, and Oba Adejugbe, Babalola had initially refused to drop the cases, citing the severity of the accusations.
“I felt so bad that he accused me of corruption. If you go through the pamphlet, you will see he attacked many judges by name. None of them is bothered, but I am, because of how I started life,” Babalola said.
He added, “There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment or damages. I am not in quest of more wealth but to use what I have for the benefit of others.”
The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, urged Babalola to forgive and withdraw the cases, assuring him that his name and reputation remain untarnished.
“Your name is more than silver and gold. Nobody can tarnish your name. You have proven to the world that you cherish your name,” Ogunwusi said.
Acknowledging Babalola’s contributions to Nigeria and Yoruba culture, Ogunwusi added, “Dele Farotimi is your son. Some children are tough, some are soft. We, as traditional leaders, have combined forces and resolved the matter in our own way.”
Moved by the monarchs’ appeal, Babalola agreed to instruct his lawyers to withdraw the cases, saying, “Thank you, Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”
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