The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has successfully interceded in the legal dispute involving Aare Afe Babalola and human rights advocate Dele Farotimi. In response to this royal intervention, Afe Babalola, the illustrious founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has opted to discontinue all criminal charges previously leveled against Farotimi.
This decision, announced on Sunday, stems from appeals made by the Ooni and other distinguished traditional rulers across the nation. Reflecting on the matter, Babalola emphasized his unwavering respect for Yoruba traditional institutions, asserting that the pronouncements of an Oba carry the weight of an irrevocable command.
Speaking to reporters, Aare Afe Babalola lamented the allegations made against him in Farotimi’s publication, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” In the book, Farotimi accused the ABUAD founder of compromising judicial integrity. Babalola dismissed these claims, recounting his steadfast dedication to integrity throughout his career, including rejecting lucrative oil block offers, defending the EFCC Act, and twice declining ministerial appointments.
His statement included a reflection on Yoruba customs, noting, “Dele Farotimi is a son of this land. In life, we birth diverse offspring, and as elders, while we may chastise our children when they err, it is our duty to eventually extend forgiveness.”
While Babalola has relinquished his pursuit of justice in this matter, some lawyers implicated in Farotimi’s book have signaled their intent to persist with legal proceedings. Speaking anonymously to MediaPlusNG, some of these legal practitioners affirmed their grievances over defamation and expressed readiness to deliberate on collective actions moving forward.
A meeting among these lawyers is anticipated later today, where they will strategize, consolidate their positions, and release a formal statement outlining their next steps in addressing the allegations.
This development highlights the enduring influence of traditional leadership in conflict resolution, even amidst Nigeria’s complex legal and socio-political frameworks.
