Dele Farotimi: Afe Babalola Withdraws Legal Action Following Traditional Rulers’ Intervention

The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has accepted to withdraw charges against Human Rights Activist and kawyer, Dele Farotimi who is facing criminal defamation charges.

This followed the appeal by foremost Yoruba Monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and other prominent Ekiti monarchs. They pleaded with legal icon to drop the charges during a meeting with him at ABUAD campus.

Other prominent monarchs present at the parley were the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, among others.

Farotimi is facing criminal defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.

The defamation charge stems from the allegations in Farotimi’s book entitled “Nigeria and its criminal justice system” that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.

Upon his not guilty plea, the Magistrates’ Court remanded the human right lawyer and later admitted him to N30m bail. The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, also granted him N50m bail.

Addressing newsmen after a closed- door meeting with Babalola in Ado-Ekiti at the wee hours on Monday, Oba Ogunwusi, said Yoruba leaders and stakeholders were following the event keenly and had to appeal to Aare Babalola to Pardon his son, Farotimi

He commended Babalola for building his integrity over the years adding that no one could rubbish his name.

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