Founder of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has announced his decision to withdraw all criminal defamation and civil cases in court against rights activist, lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi.
His decision to discontinue the proceedings follows an appeal made by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers during a late-night visit to Babalola at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
The cases, which arose from Farotimi’s book: “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” are all based on the allegation that the publication defamed Babalola.
The Ooni, who arrived at ABUAD at about 10.30 pm, was accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers.
At the reconciliatory meeting led by the Ooni were the Chairman, 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.
The Ooni described Farotimi as “a son” and urged Babalola to extend mercy.
According to reports, other notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah, had also reached out to Babalola through letters and calls, urging him to withdraw the cases.
Babalola emphasised that he had no personal gain in pursuing the imprisonment of Farotimi, stating that he has nothing to gain in Farotimi being jailed.
He acknowledged the significance of the Yoruba leaders’ intervention and their commitment to maintaining unity and harmony within the Yoruba land.
The meeting between Babalola and the traditional rulers, which concluded at midnight, ended with Babalola assuring them that he would instruct his lawyers to formally withdraw the case.
However, there is no fact showing that Farotimi was present at the meeting or that he is in the know of it, and whether he would agree with the step taken by the traditional rulers or not.