Omoyele Sowore, a political activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has commented on the ongoing criminal libel case involving Chief Afe Babalola and human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. During an interview on 90MinutesAfrica with Rudolf Okonkwo on Sunday, Sowore suggested that the case could lead to significant revelations surpassing those in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
“A lot of people are doing a better job than he (Dele Farotimi) could have imagined. Revelations better than he has written in his book will come out,” Sowore stated, emphasizing the potential impact of the trial on exposing key issues within Nigeria’s legal and justice system.
Sowore also stressed the importance of safeguarding Mr. Farotimi throughout the legal process. He expressed confidence in Farotimi’s ability to prevail against his accusers, criticizing the manner of his arrest as unlawful. “The bulk of the work has been done in the way and manner they carried out his arrest and persecution as it is not a prosecution,” Sowore remarked.
The activist further argued that Chief Afe Babalola may have miscalculated in pursuing this case, noting that it reflects a conflict between Babalola and the broader Nigerian public, rather than just Farotimi. Sowore remarked, “This case is not of the Federal Republic vs. Dele Farotimi but between Afe Babalola and the Nigerian people.”
Sowore’s comments have sparked discussions about the implications of the case, with many awaiting further developments and potential revelations from the legal proceedings. Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent legal battle have reignited debates about freedom of expression and accountability within Nigeria’s justice system.
