The founder of Ado, Ekiti State-based Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola, has consented to abandon the defamation lawsuits he filed against lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
This came after prominent traditional figures in the South-West, including Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Ooni of Ife, intervened.
Babalola petitioned the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, claiming that Farotimi had defamed him in a book he wrote. After apprehending Farotimi in Lagos State, the police transported him to Ekiti State, where they charged him in two courts. In the end, the courts held him for weeks.
However, Babalola stated that he had consented to withdraw the lawsuits in the early hours of Monday, January 27, following the monarchs’ intervention at midnight on Sunday, January 26.
According to the senior attorney, he would order his attorneys to drop the matter.
The monarchs that attended Ooni at Babalola’s gathering included the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, and the Oloye of Oye Ekiti.
Babalola claimed that throughout the discussion, he emphasized the value and significance of the Yoruba traditional institution.
According to Babalola, “the monarchs are here; they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”
“I rejected all previous appeals to withdraw the cases from courts because I felt so bad that Farotimi accused me of winning all my cases through corruption,” the nonagenarian added.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe, the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo were among the notable Nigerians that contacted Babalola to drop the prosecution against Farotimi.
He said that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, and other powerful Yoruba kings’ participation was the main factor in his decision to drop the lawsuits.
“Farotimi’s book contained personal attacks on many judges, including Supreme Court judges,” Babalola said, adding that he was especially troubled by the accusations because of his lowly origins.
He clarified that his motivation was to use his resources for the good of others rather than for his own personal gain, such as money or harm. Babalola claimed that giving brought him joy and that he would not gain from Farotimi’s incarceration or demand for compensation.
Saying that “nobody can tarnish your name,” the Ooni, speaking for the Yoruba kings, asked Babalola to drop the legal action. You have stood for your name with the message that no one can make fun of it because it is more valuable than gold and silver.
Ogunwusi recognized Babalola’s important contributions to Yoruba, Nigeria, and global growth.
We are utilizing our race in conjunction with the traditional institution because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even outside of Yorubaland have spoken out. We have listened to you just long enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our way; we have done the needful.” the revered traditional ruler said.
It was reports that a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State granted N30 million bail to Farotimi on Friday, December, 20.
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The bail conditions granted him by the court’s judge, Abayomi Adeosun, include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens, and the defendant’s international passport seized by the court.
As part of the bail condition, Farotimi was restricted from media interviews during the pendency of the case.
Farotimi, renowned for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for justice, was arrested following a petition filed by Babalola.
Babalola wrote a book called “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” in which he claimed the accused had defamed him.
