BREAKING: Afe Babalola withdraws defamation case against Dele Farotimi

The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has decided to withdraw the defamation charges he filed against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The decision came after the intervention of prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who facilitated a midnight meeting between the parties involved at the university on Monday.

Babalola had earlier petitioned the police commissioner in Ekiti State, accusing Farotimi of defaming him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.’ As a result, Farotimi was arrested and faced criminal defamation charges in an Ekiti State Magistrate Court and cyber-bullying accusations at the Ado Ekiti Division of the Federal High Court.

However, after hearing appeals from various influential figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe, Babalola agreed to withdraw the cases. He made the decision following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife and other traditional rulers who convened to mediate on the matter.

Speaking after the meeting, Babalola, who expressed deep hurt over Farotimi’s accusations, said, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.” He admitted that Farotimi’s claims, which suggested he had won all his cases through corruption, caused him significant emotional distress. However, he acknowledged that there was nothing to gain from pursuing the case further.

He also revealed that he had earlier rejected calls from high-profile individuals, including Obasanjo and Kukah, to drop the case, but the appeal from the Yoruba monarchs prompted him to reconsider. Babalola emphasized that his focus was not on acquiring more wealth but on using his resources to benefit others.

The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, praised Babalola for his contributions to the development of Nigeria and the Yoruba race. He assured Babalola that his reputation was beyond reproach. “Nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more valuable than silver and gold,” said the Ooni, underscoring Babalola’s standing in both the Yoruba community and the global stage.

The Ooni, in his address, also referred to Farotimi as a “son” of the Yoruba race, acknowledging that although he may not know Farotimi personally, the Yoruba ethos called for understanding and reconciliation in such matters. “We, the obas, have come to resolve this in our own way,” he added. “Your name is intact, Aare Afe Babalola.”

Babalola’s decision marks the end of a public dispute and highlights the significant influence of the Yoruba traditional institution in resolving conflicts within the community.