By Edmund Obilo
In a dramatic legal turn, lawyer Aare Afe Babalola SAN has filed a petition accusing fellow legal practitioner Dele Farotimi of criminal defamation. This petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, is rooted in allegations made in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
The case not only highlights the delicate balance between free speech and defamation but also underscores the ethical challenges within Nigeria’s legal system.
The Context of the Dispute:
The controversy stems from Farotimi’s claims about Aare Afe Babalola’s involvement in a landmark case, Suit No. SC/146/2005: Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & Ors v. H.R.H. Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors. Farotimi alleges that Babalola and his law firm, Afe Babalola & Co., manipulated the judiciary to secure a favorable outcome for their client. These claims are detailed in the book and have been widely circulated on various media platforms.
Key Allegations Highlighted in the Petition:
Aare Afe Babalola asserts that Farotimi’s statements were false, malicious, and designed to damage his reputation. Below are some key quotes from the petition:
Judicial Corruption Allegation:
“That Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his client.” (Page IX)
Compromising the Judiciary:
“Afe Babalola and the Eletus might have killed the buffalo but had no way from feeding from the carcass…The conspirators had it in hand and would extinguish the fire.” (Page 88)
Attacking Professional Integrity:
“Afe Babalola was imperial by the suit I filed in court. It was designed to blow open the tawdry details of his dirty deals with the Supreme Court.” (Page 85)
Questioning Court Integrity:
“The Supreme Court’s judgement was doctored by the confederation of lawyers in Afe Babalola’s chambers and the law offices of S.B Joseph & Co.” (Page 60)
Characterizing Babalola’s Influence:
“Afe is so enmeshed in his corruption that he has lost all sense of propriety and or fairness.” (Page 84)
Reputational and Professional Impact:
The petition emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of these allegations. According to Babalola:
The statements have caused many clients to withdraw from his firm, impacting its financial credibility.
The allegations have aroused public disdain, particularly within the legal community, damaging his reputation as a respected elder statesman.
Babalola also highlights his six decades of professional achievements, including his contributions to landmark legal cases, his role in founding Afe Babalola University, and his recognition as a global legal luminary.
Babalola demands:
An investigation into Farotimi’s actions.
A halt to further distribution of the book.
Recovery of all existing copies of the book.
An inquiry into Farotimi’s admitted actions of bypassing standard judicial processes.
This case raises pivotal questions about free speech, defamation, and the ethics of the Nigerian legal profession. Aare Afe Babalola’s petition is not just a defense of his personal and professional reputation but also a call to uphold the sanctity of the judiciary.
Hello,
Does this petition signify a necessary defense against defamation, or does it risk suppressing the freedom of expression?
#LegalDrama #Defamation #Judiciary #DeleFarotimi #AareAfeBabalola #NigeriaLaw
Source: @eobilo (X)
