Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has spoken out following the withdrawal of a defamation lawsuit against him by legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN).
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola reportedly made the decision to drop the case against Farotimi on Monday after interventions by prominent traditional rulers.
Farotimi had earlier been arrested by the police after Afe Babalola filed a petition accusing him of defamation in his book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” The case had sparked significant public attention due to the high-profile individuals involved.
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In response to the news of the lawsuit being dropped, Farotimi took to his official X handle to emphasize the importance of due process and the rule of law.
He wrote:
“Anything short of due process and the rule of law, (however imperfect it be) imperils all. However necessary the war against corruption might be, and I agree that it is: it is by far more corrupt and corruptive, to fight corruption corruptly.”
The withdrawal of the case has been widely discussed online, with many lauding the intervention of the monarchs and the resolution of the dispute.
GWG.ng had reported that the legal luminary and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, SAN, had announced on Monday morning his decision to withdraw the criminal defamation suit filed against rights activist Dele Farotimi.
The decision to withdraw the case against Dele Farotimi follows a visit by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers to Babalola’s residence at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
