Defamation: Ooni’s Peace Move Yields Result As Afe Babalola Drops Charges Against Dele Farotimi
•By Our Reporter
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has dropped criminal charges against the Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The legal icon made his decision known at an enlarge Press Conference with some prominent traditional rulers led by the Ooni of ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi , Sunday evening in Ado-Ekiti .
Recall that Farotimi is facing multiple charges over his Book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that the elder statesman comprised the Nigerian Judiciary.
Other monarchs at the event were, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado, and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju.
The legal luminary said he decided to drop the criminal defamation charges against the Lagos based human rights activist following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and other prominent traditional rulers in the country.
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Aare Babalola said he had ignored interventions from different monarchs and personalities within and outside the country, but had to yield to the appeals of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.
“I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why any one would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.
Recalled that Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that the elder statesman corrupted the Judiciary., I am happy each time I give”.
Also addressing journalists, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter.
The monarch hailed Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation and the world at large.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.
“We Obas can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.
“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has heard him loud and clear.
“Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.