Aare Afe Babalola Agrees to Withdraw Suit against Dele Farotimi

The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola (SAN), has agreed to withdraw all criminal charges against, Dele Farotimi, following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

This decision was made after the Ooni, alongside other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, visited the Elder Statesman late Sunday night.

Aare Babalola had filed a lawsuit against Mr. Farotimi in an Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, alleging criminal defamation over the latter’s controversial book titled Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. In the book, Farotimi accused the ABUAD Founder and the Nigerian Judiciary of corruption without any evidence in support of his claim.

The Ooni of Ife, who arrived at ABUAD around 10:30 PM, was accompanied by top Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

The Ooni of Ife praised the elder statesman for building a reputation of integrity over the years and encouraged him to continue his exceptional legacy.

“You have fought every battle. Your name is not negotiable. We are very proud of you. Young, old, the entire race learns from you the Ooni added. He continued, “Sir your name is intact, nobody can spoil your name. we are using the Yoruba race, combined with the traditional rulers, the entire institution is here to recognise you and your dynasty– Aare Afe Babalola,” says the revered Monarch.

He commended Aare Babalola for his invaluable contributions to the development of the Yoruba race, Nigeria, and the world at large. He urged him to let go of the case, citing the collective wisdom and moral guidance of the Yoruba traditional institutions.

“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he values his integrity, and the world has heard him loud and clear. Dele Farotimi is your son. As descendants of Oduduwa, we sometimes spank our children, but we also forgive and embrace them,” the Ooni remarked.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers for their unwavering support given to Afe Babalola University and to its great Founder, Funder and Chancellor- Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola (SAN) In her welcome remarks, she highlighted ABUAD’s remarkable achievements and its position as a leading university in Nigeria, Africa, and the word.

She attributed the University’s outstanding recognition to its unparalleled visionary Funder who has helped place the “Institution of higher education in Nigeria on global map”.

Speaking to journalists, Aare Afe Babalola the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, explained that the case had lingered due to professional advice from his legal counsel, adding that he respects the traditional institutions.

“The request is simple: to take away this criminal case in court. When President Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. When Bishop Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.

I rejected an oil block, defended the EFCC law, and turned down ministerial nominations twice. I often wonder why someone would suddenly try to tarnish all I have worked so hard to achieve,” Aare Babalola said.

Following the intervention of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, and other renowned Yoruba Obas, the esteemed legal nonagenarian, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola (SAN), has agreed to withdraw the suit filed to challenge the allegations raised by Dele Farotimi in his controversial book.

The meeting concluded after midnight.

PHOTO SPEAK FROM OONI’S VISIT:

FROM THE VC’s DESK