Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), in the early hours of Monday announced his decision to withdraw the criminal defamation cases filed against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Babalola made the announcement after the intervention of Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, during a midnight meeting at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
Following the appeal of the traditional rulers, Babalola said, “I will instruct my lawyers to withdraw the case,” according to The PUNCH.
The cases were initiated after Babalola petitioned the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, alleging that Farotimi defamed him in his book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,’ leading to Farotimi’s arrest and his arraignment in two courts in Ekiti State.
Farotimi is facing charges of alleged criminal defamation at an Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti and alleged cyberbullying at the Federal High Court in the Ado Ekiti Division.
According to the report, the meeting was attended by prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.
Babalola acknowledged the influence and importance of the Yoruba traditional institution, saying, “The monarchs have come to appeal to me over a criminal charge involving someone who accused me of corruption.”
He expressed deep hurt over Farotimi’s allegations, particularly the claim that he won all his cases through corruption, which initially made him reject earlier appeals to withdraw the cases.
Among those who had previously appealed to him were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.
The PUNCH quoted Babalola as saying, “If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered. I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.
“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, 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, he 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.”
Speaking on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, the Ooni of Ife assured Babalola that his reputation remained untarnished.
“Your name is worth more than silver and gold. No one can damage your legacy. You have demonstrated that your name is sacred, and the world has seen it,” the Ooni said.
He praised Babalola’s significant contributions to the Yoruba people, Nigeria, and the world. “We, the monarchs, came here to discuss this matter, and you gave full respect to the traditional institution by agreeing to our plea.
“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he values his name, which cannot be tarnished by anyone.”
Appealing to Babalola, the Ooni emphasized the communal nature of Yoruba culture, saying, “Dele Farotimi is your son, whether or not you know him. As parents, we raise children with different temperaments—some tough, some soft.
“It is our duty as custodians of Yoruba tradition to intervene. Your name is intact, and we appeal to you to let this matter rest. We have resolved it in our own way and done what is necessary.”
Farotimi, a human rights lawyer, spoke about his incarceration after being released from prison custody, where he was held for 21 days.
In a heartfelt video message titled “The Road to Freedom,” Farotimi expressed his gratitude to Nigerians who rallied around him, saying their collective voice was the reason he didn’t become just another victim of the system.
Farotimi’s arrest was a result of alleged defamation charges brought against him by Babalola.
He was granted bail after meeting the ₦30 million bail conditions set by a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti IN Ekiti State.
In his message, Farotimi emphasised that his experience is not unique, noting that many Nigerians continue to face similar struggles. He stressed the importance of unity and collective action in bringing about change.
Farotimi also touched on the divisive nature of Nigerian society, where people are often pitted against one another along ethnic and religious lines.
He said none of that mattered as Nigerians united to fight him.
He said, “We stopped being human because we became Nigerians. They divided us and we fell for it. Because you wouldn’t see me as a Yoruba man, you spoke for me, because you wouldn’t see me as a Christian, you spoke for me. Because you spoke, Nigeria couldn’t happen to me.
“The only reason why Nigeria couldn’t happen to me is because you spoke. That is why Nigeria couldn’t happen to me. You found your voices, I became you and in our collective, you couldn’t be silenced.”
“So it wasn’t me that became the porcupine, it was you – the Nigerian citizens – you have become the porcupine that is where we have gone to,” he said.
A tearful Farotimi also said, “The system resisted. I spent 21 days in captivity. Those who are inclined to the things of spiritual knowledge understand the significance of 21 days. It pleases God that I should be kept in captivity for 21 days. A full cycle of a woman, a full cycle of modern nature – 21 days I was kept.”
