The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, agreed in the early hours of Monday to withdraw the legal cases filed against activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi after interventions by prominent Yoruba monarchs.
Babalola had accused Farotimi of defaming him in the book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, prompting a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State. The activist was arrested and subsequently arraigned in two courts—the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged cyber-bullying.
However, following a late-night meeting mediated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, alongside other leading Yoruba monarchs, Babalola announced his decision to withdraw the charges. Speaking at ABUAD, he said, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”
The meeting was attended by several prominent monarchs, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.
Babalola highlighted the influence and importance of the Yoruba traditional institution in his decision, stating, “The monarchs are here; they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”
The senior advocate revealed his deep hurt over Farotimi’s allegations, which suggested he won cases through corruption. He explained why he had initially refused earlier pleas, despite appeals from notable figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.
He said, *“If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by name, Supreme Court judges even, and none is bothered. But I am bothered—bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am today.
“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment or damages. I am not in quest of more wealth but rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.
“The request is simple: take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote and came here, I said no. When Kukah phoned and came, I said no. But on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you, Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”*
The Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, had urged Babalola to drop the charges, assuring him of the inviolability of his name. “Nobody can tarnish your name,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “Your name is more than silver and gold, and you have stood for it with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”
Ogunwusi praised Babalola’s contributions to Yoruba, Nigerian, and global development, saying, *“We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him, and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.
“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has worked tirelessly to build his name. That name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name, and the world has heard him clearly.”*
Addressing Babalola further, the Ooni remarked, *“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, though you may not know him. We give birth to different children in this world—some are tough, some are soft, some are hard.
“Why we are here is because of our ethos as a race. Some of our elders in Yorubaland and beyond have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you. Enough, enough, and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our own way and done the needful.”*
With the withdrawal, the matter comes to a peaceful resolution, demonstrating the enduring power and influence of Yoruba traditional institutions.
