Aare Afe Babalola drops charges against Dele Farotimi following Ooni intervention
The founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, announced on Sunday that he has dropped all criminal charges against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other traditional rulers.
The charges stemmed from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, in which he alleged that Babalola had corrupted the judiciary.
Addressing journalists, Babalola stated he felt compelled to heed the advice of Yoruba traditional leaders, emphasizing the reverence for an Oba’s directive in Yoruba culture.
He said, “The statement of an Oba is a command. I rejected an oil block, defended the EFCC law, and turned down ministerial nominations twice. I wonder why anyone would try to tarnish what I’ve labored to build. I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment; I am happy each time I give.”
The Ooni of Ife praised Babalola for his contributions to the Yoruba race and the nation, describing him as a man of great integrity. He urged reconciliation, likening the situation to Yoruba traditions of elders forgiving their children after discipline.
