Afe Babalola Demands Evidence as Police Press New Charges Against Dele Farotimi
Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University, has reaffirmed his stance that activist lawyer Dele Farotimi is attempting to damage his hard-earned reputation. In a statement on Friday, Babalola responded to Farotimi’s defamatory allegations in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, calling for an investigation into the claims.
The senior advocate emphasized that his decision to involve the police in investigating the accusations was to ensure that the law takes its course. He was represented at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti by his legal team, consisting of Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade, and Lawrence Fasanmi—all former chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti Branch.
The police had arrested Farotimi in Lagos following Babalola’s petition and brought him before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, where he was charged with defamation. While the police requested that Farotimi be remanded in custody, his legal team applied for bail. However, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered the activist’s remand, with the case adjourned until December 10, 2024.
Ajayi, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, explained that the press conference aimed to correct misleading reports concerning the ongoing legal action. He emphasized that all facts related to the case were verifiable and urged the public to seek the truth before forming judgments.
In his petition to the police, Babalola called for Farotimi to be summoned and required to provide evidence supporting his claims. He requested that all defamatory materials be confiscated until investigations concluded and that Farotimi be prevented from making further defamatory statements. The petition also sought protection for Babalola’s reputation, as well as those of his law firm and the Nigerian judiciary.
Ajayi questioned whether it was inappropriate for Babalola to seek justice in the face of what he called false and damaging statements. He stated, “The law protects everyone’s reputation. Farotimi is free to speak, but his words should not harm others unjustly. If he can prove his allegations, he will be cleared.”
In addition to the defamation charges, the police have now filed new charges against Farotimi at a Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, related to alleged cybercrimes. These charges stem from an online interview Farotimi gave on Mic On Podcast, where he accused Babalola of corrupting the judiciary. The first of the new charges states that Farotimi intentionally spread false information in the interview, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.
