Renowned legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, has decided to withdraw his criminal defamation suit against rights activist Dele Farotimi.
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This resolution followed a visit by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, accompanied by other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti.
The decision came after appeals from the traditional rulers and other influential Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah. Babalola stated that he had nothing to gain from Farotimi’s imprisonment and assured the visiting monarchs that he would direct his lawyers to withdraw the case.
The legal battle began after Babalola filed a lawsuit against Farotimi over alleged defamatory claims in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi, who was granted a N30 million bail by an Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, became the focus of intense public and traditional intervention.
During the visit, the Ooni of Ife praised Babalola for his integrity, urging him to remain steadfast. The monarch referred to Farotimi as his “son” and commended the elder statesman for prioritizing peace.
