Nigerian legal expert Afe Babalola accuses lawyer Dele Farotimi of criminal defamation in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Babalola claims Farotimi's statements falsely accuse him of judicial corruption and misconduct, leading to Farotimi’s arrest. The case highlights tensions within Nigeria’s legal community.
Renowned Nigerian legal luminary Afe Babalola has accused lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi of criminal defamation through statements in his recently published book, "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System".
The dispute centers on a complex land case involving 254 hectares in Lagos, which the Supreme Court originally ruled in Babalola's client's favor in 2013. Farotimi, representing affected estates, allegedly made multiple defamatory statements about Babalola and his law firm in the book. Babalola's petition to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police highlights specific allegations from Farotimi's book, including claims that Babalola:
- Corrupted the Supreme Court
- Procured fraudulent judgments
- Compromised judicial integrity
- Manipulated legal processes
In response, Farotimi was arrested and remanded in prison custody by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on a 16-count charge of criminal defamation. The arrest came after Babalola filed a formal complaint detailing the alleged defamatory content. Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with over six decades of legal experience, emphasized his distinguished career, which includes founding a prominent law firm and a university. He argues that Farotimi's statements could potentially harm his professional standing and reputation.
The legal luminary has requested a police investigation, the recovery of existing book copies, and a halt to further distribution. He also seeks to address what he describes as Farotimi's admitted disregard for legal protocols.
