No going back on criminal defamation case against author Dele Farotimi as Afe Babalola’s firm charges ahead, vows to protect reputation

December 07, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Afe Babalola & Co, a renowned law firm, has released a press statement affirming its commitment to pursuing a criminal defamation case against author Dele Farotimi.

The firm expressed its appreciation for the outpouring of support from well-wishers who have defended and identified with them in the face of Farotimi’s alleged attempt to tarnish their hard-earned reputation.

In the press statement, Afe Babalola & Co acknowledged the concerns and suggestions from various quarters, including the inference that the firm and its members would be better served by ignoring the published falsehoods.

However, the firm emphasized that its silence would be interpreted as an admission of guilt, which is unacceptable.

“We are a law-abiding organisation that operates strictly within the law,” the statement read. “We are aware of the implications of the steps we are taking and the possibility of spin and manipulation by this author, his acolytes, uninformed members of the public and others who like him view us maliciously.”

Afe Babalola & Co expressed its conviction that the legal steps it is taking are the only way to address the falsity of Farotimi’s allegations and hold him accountable for the deliberate assault on the integrity and reputation of the firm’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola.

“We will not stand idly by while our reputation, built over seven decades through hard work, legal knowledge, and trenchant advocacy, is maliciously attacked,” the statement concluded.

The firm’s decision to pursue a criminal defamation case against Farotimi has been met with widespread support from the legal community and beyond.