Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state – Senior lawyer Afe Babalola has accepted to withdraw charges against popular human rights activist, Dele Farotimi who faced criminal defamation charges.
Farotimi, an outspoken opposition figure in Nigeria, was recently embroiled in a controversy over a book he authored where Babalola was allegedly defamed.
As reported by The Nation on Monday, January 27, Babalola’s latest decision followed the appeal on Sunday, January 26, by foremost Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi and other prominent Ekiti monarchs. They pleaded with the legal icon to drop the charges during a meeting with him at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) campus.
Channels Television also noted the development.
Other prominent monarchs present at the parley included the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti; and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti.
Babalola said he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case.
His words:
Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife commended Babalola. The traditional rule hailed Babalola and acknowledged ‘his contribution to the development’ of the Yoruba race, the nation and the world at large.
The first-class monarch said:
Read more on Dele Farotimi:
Earlier, TimesNow.com.ng reported that Farotimi broke down in tears on YouTube.
Speaking on the programme, ‘The Walk to Freedom’, monitored by TimesNow.com.ng, Farotimi lamented the alleged politics of polarisation being played by Nigerian politicians.
Farotimi criticised politicians for “dividing” citizens along ethnic lines.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
