Veteran senior Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola has accepted to withdraw charges against popular human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, who faced criminal defamation charges.
Farotimi, an outspoken opposition figure in Nigeria, was recently embroiled in a controversy over a book he authored where Babalola was allegedly defamed.
As reported by The Nation on Monday, January 27, Babalola’s latest decision followed the appeal on Sunday, January 26, by foremost Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and other prominent Ekiti monarchs.
They pleaded with the legal icon to drop the charges during a meeting with him at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) campus.
Channels Television also noted the development.
Other prominent monarchs present at the parley included the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti.
Babalola said he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case.
His words:
“I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why anyone would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for. I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment.”
The legal sage revealed how many people came to him to withdraw his case against Farotimi, and he turned their pleas away. Before now accepting, he said:
โThe request is simple. When Olusegun Obasanjo came, I said no, when Rev Mathew Kukah came, I said no. I have their letters here, but on this occasion, I say yes.โ
Dele Farotimi vs Afe Babalola: Ooni speaks
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife commended Babalola. The traditional rule hailed Babalola and acknowledged ‘his contribution to the development’ of the Yoruba race, the nation and the world at large.
The first-class Yoruba monarch said:
โYour name is more than silver and gold. That is what you have lived for. The whole world has seen that you donโt joke about your name.”
The Ooni also shared reasons why Afe Babalola would want to protect his name no matter whose oar is gored:
โYou have laboured to build the name, and no one can rubbish it. Dele Farotimi is your son. You have passed your message that what is in the name is silver and gold.โ
See the post shared on social media:
Netizens react as Afe Babalola withdraws case against Dele Farotimi
See how netizens reacted to the announcement:
@princeabbey:
“Thatโs good news and Iโm sure Mr dele has learnt his lessons. All those people supporting him left him dry.”
@jrnaib2:
“The masses have won.”
@judographix24:
“They have reached an agreement.”
@EmmanuelSenu:
“Why is it that the people that speak the truth always got attacked.”
@mezieaba:
“This simply explains how oppressors operate. Oppressors will always have their way when good people maintain silence when others are being oppressed. But, when good people speak up, oppressors will be forced to untie their claws of oppression.”
@gybaba:
“Obidients don frustrate this man. Omoh Obidients powerful gan ooo.”
@joepirlo:
“E go better. One Nigeria starts in this way. The spirit of brotherhood and reasoning.”
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