Renowned legal luminary and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, has announced his intention to withdraw a criminal defamation lawsuit against lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi.
Mr Babalola, who filed the suit in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged defamatory statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, made the decision following an intervention by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The Ooni visited Babalola at his Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) residence late Sunday night, accompanied by a delegation of prominent Yoruba traditional rulers. The entourage included the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, among others.
During the meeting, the Ooni appealed to Babalola to reconsider his legal action against Farotimi, describing the activist as a “son” who deserved forgiveness.
Babalola disclosed that he had received numerous calls and letters from notable Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah, urging him to drop the case.
The 95-year-old said he has nothing to gain if Farotimi is jailed.
He assured the traditional rulers that he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case, adding that he valued the integrity he had built over the years.
The Ooni, in his remarks, praised Babalola for his contributions to the legal profession and national development, urging him to show compassion in the matter.
He said that he and others resolved to intervene so that Babalola “can pardon his son Farotimi.”
The meeting, which began at about 10:30 p.m., concluded at midnight with Babalola agreeing to withdraw the case.
