BREAKING: Babalola Withdraws Cases Against Dele Farotimi After Ooni, Monarchs’ Intervention

Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — Legal luminary and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has agreed to withdraw all legal proceedings against activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi.

The decision followed a late-night intervention by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba monarchs.

Babalola had initiated legal action against Farotimi, accusing him of defamation in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The allegations led to Farotimi’s arrest and arraignment in two courts: the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti for criminal defamation and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti for cyber-bullying.

In a conciliatory meeting held at Afe Babalola University, Babalola declared his intention to withdraw the charges.

“Following the appeal by our revered Yoruba monarchs, I have decided to instruct my lawyers to discontinue the case,” he said.

The Ooni of Ife, supported by other traditional rulers, reportedly emphasised the importance of unity and conflict resolution among Yoruba leaders during the mediation.

During a press briefing at ABUAD on Monday morning, Babalola revealed, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

Babalola emphasised the role and significance of the Yoruba traditional institution in his decision, saying, “The monarchs are here; they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving someone who accused me of being corrupt.”

The senior advocate expressed his deep pain over Farotimi’s allegations, which implied he won cases through corrupt means.

He explained why he initially resisted earlier pleas, despite interventions from prominent figures like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Mathew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.

“If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by name, Supreme Court judges even, and none is bothered. But I am bothered—bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am today.

“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment or damages. I am not in quest of more wealth but 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 and 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.”

The Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, had urged Babalola to drop the charges, assuring him of the inviolability of his name. “Nobody can tarnish your name,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “Your name is more than silver and gold, and you have stood for it with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi praised Babalola’s contributions to Yoruba, Nigerian, and global development, 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 worked tirelessly to build his name. That 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.”

Addressing Babalola further, the Ooni remarked, “Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, though 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 because of our ethos as a race. Some of our elders in Yorubaland and beyond 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 own way and done the needful.”

The withdrawal brought the matter to a peaceful conclusion, highlighting the enduring influence and significance of Yoruba traditional institutions.

The meeting was attended by several prominent monarchs, including Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti; Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti; Oba Joseph Adewole, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; Oba Adejimi Adu, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti; Oba Michael Ademolaju, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti; and Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti.