Afe Babalola Agrees to Withdraw Defamation Cases Against Dele Farotimi

The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has agreed to withdraw defamation charges against human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
The decision follows allegations made by Farotimi in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he accused Babalola of corruption. The claims led to criminal defamation charges and Farotimi’s subsequent arraignment before two courts in Ekiti State last year: the Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.
Babalola’s decision came after a midnight meeting on Monday with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; and the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, among others.
Speaking after the meeting, Babalola explained his initial reluctance to drop the charges, citing the severity of the accusations. “If you go through the pamphlet [Farotimi’s book], you will find that he attacked many judges by name, including Supreme Court judges. None of them was bothered, but I am. I feel bad because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am,” he said.
The senior advocate, however, emphasized that he had no interest in seeking damages or imprisoning Farotimi. “There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment or so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth; rather, I focus on how to use what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give,” he added.
Babalola acknowledged the intervention of notable figures who had earlier appealed to him, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti. However, it was the collective request from Yoruba traditional rulers that ultimately swayed him.
The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the monarchs, praised Babalola’s integrity and contributions to society. “Your name is more than silver and gold, and nobody can tarnish it. You have stood for your name and shown the world your commitment to integrity,” Ogunwusi said.
He appealed to Babalola to see Farotimi as his son, stating, “We give birth to different children in this world—some are tough, some are soft. What we are doing here is in line with our ethos as a race. We have resolved the matter in our way, and we thank you for listening to us.”
In response, Babalola promised to instruct his lawyers to withdraw the cases, bringing an end to the legal saga.