January 27, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, has accepted to drop defamation charges against human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi after the intervention of Ooni Ile Ife, His royal Majesty Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ewi of Ado Ekiti among other prominent Yoruba Obas.
The Ooni Ile Ife among other Obas pleaded on behalf of Dele Farotimi to be forgiven as he was described as one of the ‘Yoruba sons’ who needs to be corrected and pardoned at the same time.
Farotimi had authored a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” where he alleged that Afe Babalola bribed the judiciary and illegally procured judgments in the Supreme Court.
These allegations led to the authors arrest, Dele Farotimi, who was arraignment in court for criminal charges.
Afe Babalola revealed that he was approached by numerous traditional institutions, esteemed individuals, and prominent Nigerians, including Bishop Kukah and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to pardon Dele Farotimi.
He noted that he wouldn’t benefit from Farotimi’s imprisonment and instead chose to prioritize his integrity.
By doing so, Afe Babalola demonstrated his commitment to upholding his values and reputation, even in the face of controversy.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had appealed to Afe Babalola to consider the interventions and pardon Farotimi.
The Oba praised Afe Babalola’s contributions to human development of the Yoruba especially in Ekiti state and other part of the world.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him, and he gave full respect to the Obas and agreed to drop the charges,”
Ooni said. “Dele Farotimi is your son; we gave birth to different children in this world, and as elders, when our children offend us as Yoruba, we spank and we also pardon such a child” he mentioned.
He concluded with a Yoruba proverb saying “Agba ni n gba a si ti fi ese ile to o”
