The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has consented to withdraw the criminal defamation charges against lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
This followed an appeal by major Yoruba monarchs, including Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi (the Ooni of Ife) and other important Ekiti kings, according to The Nation. At the ABUAD campus, they met with the legal legend and pleaded with him to drop the accusations.
Speaking to reporters following a private meeting with Babalola in Ado-Ekiti early on Monday, Oba Ogunwusi stated that Yoruba leaders and other interested parties were closely monitoring the situation and had to ask Aare Babalola to forgive his son Farotimi.
He said that no one could disparage Babalola’s reputation and praised him for developing his integrity over the years.
Babalola responded to the monarchs’ appeal by stating that he had been contacted and many letters had been sent to him on the subject, especially by prominent Nigerians.
Bishop Kukah and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo are among them, but he claimed to have turned down their plea.
Babalola went on to say that he stood to gain nothing by keeping Farotimi in jail, claiming that he was forced to comply with their request due to the intervention of Ooni and other monarchs.
According to the elder statesman, he would give his attorneys instructions to end the legal proceedings.
In his words, “There is nothing I am going to gain by his imprisonment. If I sue him, there is nothing I will gain from any damages.”
Afe Babalola clarified that the only time he is content is when he gives, and that he is not looking for more money but rather how to use what he has for the good of others.
He said, “The request is simple. When Olusegun Obasanjo came, I said no; when Rev. Mathew Kukah came, I said no. I have their letters here, but on this occasion, I say yes.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
