KEY POINTS
- Yoruba monarchs succeeded in getting Afe Babalola to drop all his defamation suits against Dele Farotimi.
- He decided to withdraw lawsuits because he respected both Yoruba tradition and the need for peace.
- In an interaction the Ooni of Ife affirmed that Babalola’s history has secured itself forever.
Through intervention from Yoruba royalty including Ooni Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Oodua’s Castle, Afe Babalola SAN as CEO and founder of Afe Babalola University took back his lawsuits against activist lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Two legal suits developed from Professor Laseni Farotimi’s book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System when he accused Babalola through the Federal High Court alongside the Ekiti Magistrate Court that judges should not exist for convenience.
Babalola announced his decision to withdraw the case during his visit to ABUAD after a traditional ruler meeting so late at night that he declared “I will instruct my lawyers to pull out the case.”
Prominent Yoruba traditional leaders Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe of Ado Ekiti and Oba Joseph Adewole the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti came together for this gathering. Major tribals from Yorubaland visited Babalola to petition him for mercy toward Farotimi because they believed he had made one-of-a-kind contributions both within the region and throughout larger territories.
Forgiveness amidst deep hurt
At first Babalola hesitated to dismiss the charges against Farotimi because he believed the accusations were too serious. Babalola recounted that the opposing lawyer accused him of dishonesty so he could defeat his opponents through bribery.
The Godfather expressed strong emotional pain following these events yet welcomed the royal pleas stating “There’s nothing I gain from his imprisonment.” Babalola declared.
Yet Babalola understood the regal power behind the decision as he declared “his incarceration would yield him nothing while making my day happier when giving.” I find peace only in the act of giving help to others. I honor the kabiyesis’ request to stop pursuing current legal action against Dele Farotimi.
The Ooni of Ife praised Babalola’s commitment to peace-based actions over legal disputes because the deference of surrounding communities for his name remained solid. The Ooni insisted that your name carries higher worth than the combined value of precious silver and valuable gold.
