On Monday, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, visited Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University, in Ado Ekiti to address the ongoing legal challenges faced by activist lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi is currently facing defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
The defamation case arises from claims made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
While the Magistrates’ Court had previously remanded Farotimi and adjourned the case to December 10, the Federal High Court granted him bail on Monday, setting the bail conditions at N50 million.
Sources in Ado Ekiti revealed that Obi’s visit to Babalola was aimed at appealing for leniency regarding the matter involving Farotimi.
“After Obi made his case for Farotimi, Babalola asked whether he had seen Farotimi that he had come to appeal on his behalf to know whether he has been remorseful,” the source said.
“Baba told Obi that everything depended on whether Farotimi was remorseful for his actions or not.
“Obi pleaded with Babalola to please consider Farotimi and forgive him.”
Another source, who corroborated him, added, “From what I saw, Babalola would be willing to forgive Farotimi, except he decided to choose the path of perdition.
“I think that as it is, he (Farotimi) has to plead for forgiveness before he can be forgiven. We told Obi to go and talk to Farotimi, but if he is not ready for apology and says that he has evidence to prove that Baba corrupted Supreme Court judges, let him go and prove that in court.
“So, consequent upon that, Obi went to the correctional centre to meet with Farotimi. But I cannot say yet what transpired there. But I can tell you that Obi went there to meet him.”
Meanwhile, a social activist, Moses Paul, shared video and pictures of Obi visiting Afe Babalola and the correctional service in Ado-Ekiti.
Paul wrote, “Today, Mr. @PeterObi traveled from Lagos to Ekiti State, dedicating the entire day to meaningful engagements. He visited Aare Afe Babalola at his office within the Afe Babalola University, where they had in-depth discussions on critical issues, including the situation of activists and lawyer @DeleFarotimi.
“Following this, Mr. @PeterObi proceeded to the prison facility where @DeleFarotimi is being held. In a private meeting, he expressed solidarity and engaged in a candid exchange aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges.”
