Afe Babalola Forgives Activist Lawyer Dele Farotimi

Renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola has forgiven activist attorney Dele Farotimi following interventions from notable figures, including Bishop Mathew Kukah, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Ewi of Ado.

Babalola had previously taken legal action against Farotimi over allegations made in the latter's book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, which Babalola considered defamatory. However, after consistent appeals, Babalola announced his decision to forgive Farotimi.

In a statement, Babalola detailed the prominent figures who sought reconciliation and explained his decision:

“The Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former President Obasanjo has intervened. The same goes for Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening. My answer to them has been no, but today my answer is yes.”

Babalola expressed frustration over the allegations, highlighting his longstanding opposition to corruption:

“I was a lawyer who defended the EFCC law, yet I’m corrupt. I was given an oil bloc; when I looked at the money and saw that it was too much, I rejected it, yet I’m corrupt. I was offered ministerial appointments twice; I rejected them, yet I’m corrupt.

“I have given lectures against corruption with my papers in many universities globally. For someone to allege that I have won my cases through corruption, it’s an attempt to defame me. That was why I rejected all appeals earlier made to me.”

Babalola revealed that the Ooni of Ife’s involvement was a decisive factor in his decision to forgive:

“When I heard that Ooni was coming, I knew I was in a fix today. There is nothing I’m going to gain from his imprisonment and there’s nothing I want from the so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth; I’m rather concerned about managing the one I have already. Dele Farotimi is hereby forgiven. On this occasion, I say yes.”