Afe Babalola to withdraw defamation suit against Farotimi

Afe Babalola, the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says he will withdraw the defamation suit filed against Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate.

In December, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and whisked to Ekiti.

Farotimi was remanded by the Ekiti state magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti for 21 days after he was accused of “criminally defaming” Babalola in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

He regained freedom on December 24, after being granted bail of N30 million by the court.

NAN reports that Babalola, who spoke at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other first class traditional rulers at a midnight meeting, said he has agreed to withdraw the case.

He said he had received several letters as well as calls on the issue from eminent Nigerians, including from ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and Matthew Kukah, the bishop of Sokoto diocese.

Babalola said he acquiesced to the traditional rulers’ entreaties because he has nothing to gain from Farotimi’s imprisonment.

The senior advocate assured the chiefs that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the case.

Ogunwusi said Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution have been following the development keenly.

The monarch added that he and others resolved to intervene so that Babalola “can pardon his son, Farotimi”.

The Ooni of Ife also lauded Babalola for his integrity and urged him to remain steadfast.