Afe Babalola Agrees to Withdraw Defamation Suit Against Dele Farotimi

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Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and founder of Afe Babalola University, has agreed to withdraw the cases he instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi. This decision comes after a delegation led by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, visited Babalola at his residence in Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) on Sunday night, January 26.

The Ooni's visit was a plea to Babalola to withdraw the suit against Farotimi, which was filed in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court following Farotimi's publication of a book that allegedly defamed Babalola. The Ooni's delegation included other top Yoruba traditional rulers, who urged Babalola to "pardon his son, Farotimi".

Babalola had received several letters and calls from eminent Nigerians asking him to withdraw the suit. In his response, Babalola stated that he was bothered by Farotimi's allegations because of his humble beginnings and the integrity he had built over the years. However, he acknowledged that he had nothing to gain from Farotimi's imprisonment or damages, and that his happiness came from giving.

The withdrawal of the suit marks the end of a high-profile legal battle and highlights the influence of traditional leaders in resolving disputes. Babalola's decision was likely swayed by the cultural weight of the Ooni's plea, which emphasized the importance of preserving Babalola's reputation and promoting peace within the community.

The case has sparked discussions about defamation laws, freedom of speech, and the role of traditional leaders in resolving legal disputes. While some may view Babalola's decision as a victory for free speech, others may see it as a demonstration of the power of traditional institutions in shaping public discourse.

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