How Did Dele Farotimi Defame Afe Babalola?

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, has filed a petition against lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, alleging defamation in Farotimi’s latest book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The petition, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, claims the book contains several defamatory statements that tarnish Babalola’s reputation and that of his law firm.

Babalola’s complaint centres around comments in the book that he believes portray him and his legal practice in a false and unethical light. These include accusations of corrupting the Supreme Court to obtain favourable judgments and engaging in other forms of judicial manipulation.

The book’s allegations not only challenge Babalola’s personal integrity but also suggest professional misconduct extending to influencing the Supreme Court’s integrity.

The noted lawyer detailed in his petition that the dispute stems from a prolonged legal battle over land in Lagos, which concluded with a Supreme Court judgment favouring his client. He argues that Farotimi’s book misrepresents the facts and outcome of this case, implying serious legal and ethical breaches by Babalola and his team.

The allegations have led to a wider dissemination of the claims, with discussions spreading across various media platforms. This has amplified the impact of Farotimi’s accusations, prompting Babalola to seek legal redress and an investigation into the matter.

Babalola expressed that the statements in Farotimi’s book were designed to inflict damage on his reputation, potentially causing clients to distrust and avoid his legal services. He emphasised his longstanding commitment to the legal profession and his track record of integrity and excellence, which he feels are being unjustly attacked.

In response to these serious allegations, Babalola has urged the police to recover all copies of the book and halt its further distribution, alongside a thorough investigation into Farotimi’s statements. The situation underscores ongoing tensions within the legal community, particularly concerning the ethical boundaries of professional critique and the potential consequences of public allegations against prominent legal figures.