Aare Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University, has accused lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi of defamation. The allegations are centered on claims made in Farotimi’s recent book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System“, which reportedly questions Babalola’s professional ethics and the integrity of his law firm, Afe Babalola & Co.
In a formal petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Babalola outlined his grievances, stating that Farotimi’s book contains numerous defamatory statements. These, he argued, were designed to tarnish his reputation and discredit his law practice.
The disputed content includes allegations that Babalola and his law firm engaged in unethical practices to influence a 2013 Supreme Court ruling involving a 254-hectare land dispute in Lagos. The case, which spanned over two decades, ended with a judgment favoring Babalola’s client, the Gbadamosi Eletu family.
Farotimi, in his book, allegedly accused Babalola of “corrupting the Supreme Court” and facilitating a “fraudulent judgment.” The activist also reportedly claimed that Babalola leveraged his influence within the judiciary to suppress justice in related cases.
“These statements are not only false but were deliberately written to destroy my reputation,” Babalola stated in his petition, adding that excerpts from the book had been widely circulated through media interviews and social platforms, amplifying the damage.
The 2013 Supreme Court judgment awarded the Eletu family ownership of the disputed land, which had been sold to them by the Ojomu family in 1977 but was later acquired by the Lagos State Government. The judgment was contested by several estates affected by the ruling, leading to further litigation and public scrutiny.
Babalola’s legal team successfully argued that the Ojomu family acted in bad faith by attempting to reclaim the land after selling it. However, Farotimi, representing one of the affected estates, criticized the ruling in his book, alleging judicial corruption and incompetence.
Farotimi was arrested by police in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned on a 16-count charge of criminal defamation. He has since been remanded in custody by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti.
Babalola has called for the immediate withdrawal of the book from circulation, an investigation into its claims, and the prosecution of Farotimi. He emphasized his six-decade-long career, which he described as being marked by integrity and professionalism.
The allegations have reignited debates about judicial integrity and the limits of free speech in Nigeria. Farotimi, known for his outspoken criticism of governance and the judiciary, has received support from some civil rights groups, who argue that his arrest represents a clampdown on dissent.
Meanwhile, legal experts are closely watching the case, which has implications for both reputational protection under defamation laws and the freedom to critique public figures and institutions.
The Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed ongoing investigations into the matter. Neither Farotimi nor his legal team has released an official statement at the time of publication.
