Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has dropped all criminal charges against the Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Babalola disclosed this during a press conference jointly addressed by himself and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on behalf of other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday evening.
Other traditional rulers at the conference were the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado; and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju.
Babalola said the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and other prominent traditional rulers in the country. Led to his decision to drop the criminal defamation charges against the Lagos-based human rights activist following.
He said he had ignored interventions from different monarchs and personalities within and outside the country but had to yield to the appeals of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba tradition from time immemorial is a command.
“I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why anyone would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.”
“I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment; I am happy each time I give.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi who also addressed journalists appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter.
The Ooni commended him for his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the nation, and the world at large.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him, and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.
He said, “We Obas can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name, and that cannot be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.”
“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name, and the world has heard him loud and clear.
“Dele Farotimi is your son. We give birth to different children in this world, and as elders, when our children offend us as Yoruba, after a little spank, we also pardon such children.”
Recalled that Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that the legal luminary corrupted the judiciary.
