Afe Babalola States Condition for Farotimi’s Release

Legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, has stated that human rights activist Dele Farotimi will regain his freedom if he can substantiate the allegations made against him. Farotimi is currently in custody following his arrest by the Ekiti State Police Command and subsequent remand by the Ekiti Magistrate Court.

The controversy centers on claims made by Farotimi in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he accused Afe Babalola of corrupting the judiciary. Addressing journalists on the matter, Babalola’s lead counsel, Owoseni Ajayi, described the allegations as defamatory, asserting that they were designed to harm Babalola’s reputation. Ajayi emphasized that the allegations could not be justified by any legal disputes involving Farotimi.

Ajayi outlined the background of the case, which stems from a 2013 Supreme Court judgment involving a land dispute in Lagos. The judgment awarded 254 hectares of land to the Gbadamosi Eletu family, a ruling that affected several residential estates, including Pinnock Estate and Victory Park Estate. Farotimi, acting as counsel for one of the affected estates, became involved when subsequent disputes arose over the execution of the judgment.

According to Ajayi, an error in the initial Supreme Court judgment recorded the land size as 10 hectares instead of 254. Afe Babalola’s chambers successfully filed for a variation to correct this clerical error. However, Ajayi claimed that the affected estates and individuals sought to undermine the Supreme Court ruling, with some negotiating settlements behind Babalola’s back. This dispute, Ajayi alleged, motivated Farotimi’s accusations.

Ajayi dismissed the claims of judicial corruption as baseless, pointing out that Babalola himself had lost cases and been fined substantial amounts in court. He noted that Farotimi’s book lacked evidence to support its claims and violated Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act, which prohibits publishing false information intended to cause public alarm.

Farotimi’s accusations, according to Ajayi, stem not from any personal injustice but from his inability to secure favorable rulings for his clients. Ajayi further explained that Lagos State authorities had intervened in the land dispute to prevent disruptions in the affected communities, reaching a compromise with the Eletu family.

The legal team representing Babalola stressed that Farotimi’s freedom depends on his ability to prove the allegations in his book. Ajayi urged Nigerians to critically examine the facts before forming opinions, emphasizing that free speech must not be used as a weapon to tarnish reputations.

“All facts are verifiable,” Ajayi concluded. “Let Nigerians seek the truth before choosing sides.”