The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in the early hours of Monday, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
The decision was made after a midnight meeting with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top Yoruba monarchs, who intervened in the matter.
The meeting, which was held at the Afe Babalola University, was attended by several prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu.
READ ALSO: Details Of Obasanjo, Buhari Statements In Paris Court Over $2.5 Billion Mambilla Power Dispute Emerge
According to Babalola, the monarchs’ intervention was instrumental in his decision to withdraw the suits. “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt,” Babalola said.
Babalola had instituted the suits against Farotimi following the publication of a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” in which Farotimi allegedly made defamatory statements against him.
However, after the monarchs’ intervention, Babalola agreed to withdraw the suits, saying, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”
The Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of the Yoruba monarchs, hailed Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria, and the world.
According to Ogunwusi, “We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.
We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested so hard to build his name. The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone.”
The monarchs’ intervention has been hailed as a significant step towards promoting peace and understanding in the country.
