Dele Farotimi will be freed if….. – Afe Babalola’s lawyers

The legal representatives of Afe Babalola, SAN, founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, have stated that embattled human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi will be freed if he can prove his allegations against the elder statesman.

Speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Friday, Babalola’s lawyers—Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi, all former chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti Branch—emphasized that the ongoing legal action stems from Farotimi’s alleged defamatory claims in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

The lawyers asserted that the petition filed with the police was a request for an investigation into the claims and for Farotimi to be held accountable under Nigerian law if his allegations prove unfounded.

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They described the accusations as an attempt to tarnish Babalola’s reputation, built over decades of dedicated service.

Farotimi was apprehended in Lagos on Tuesday following the petition and subsequently arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. The police requested his remand in a correctional facility, while his counsel applied for bail. Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun adjourned the case until December 10, 2024, ordering Farotimi’s remand in the interim.

Ajayi, a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice, clarified the rationale behind the legal steps, urging the public to verify the facts. He noted:

“Aare Afe Babalola, in his petition, urged the police to invite Mr. Dele Farotimi to provide evidence supporting his allegations. If he cannot, he should face prosecution for criminal defamation as per Nigerian law.”

Ajayi added that confiscating defamatory materials and preventing further publication are necessary until investigations conclude. He asked:

“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice? Should justice be one-sided simply because he is a globally respected figure?”

Claims of Malice and Legal Justifications
Ajayi described Farotimi’s allegations as baseless and damaging:

“The statements in the book are a calculated attempt to malign Aare Afe Babalola’s reputation and that of his law firm. Such unfounded accusations cannot be remedied by damages alone.”

He also referenced Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, which penalizes the publication of false statements that cause public fear or unrest. Ajayi warned:

“Those encouraging Farotimi are not helping him. By the time he faces the consequences, he will realize their intentions were deceitful. His family should consider apologizing to Aare Babalola.”