Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary

Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary. A faction of the socio-cultural organisation Afenifere, led by its Co-Founder, Ayo Adebanjo, has appointed the controversial lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi as its new National Organising Secretary.

Dele Farotimi’s appointment was confirmed in a communique issued by the group’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Faloye, during a general meeting held at Pa Adebanjo’s residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun state.

Farotimi’s appointment comes hours after prominent legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), withdrew a defamation lawsuit he had filed against Farotimi over his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”, in which Chief Afe Babalola claimed that he was allegedly defamed.

Farotimi was granted bail of 30 million naira by the Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where he had been arraigned.

Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary

Recall that Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), a distinguished lawyer, educator, and founder of Afe Babalola University, and Mr Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate and outspoken critic of systemic failures had a professional discourse that escalated into a heated feud when Dele Farotimi accused Chief Afe Babalola of unethical practices, stating that he has been engaged in compromised and negative influence in Nigeria’s judicial system.

The feud instantly captured public attention, sparking widespread conversation about judicial integrity, freedom of expression, and accountability in Nigeria. 

In late 2024, Nigeria’s legal community was shaken by a public dispute between two prominent figures: Chief Afe Babalola and Mr Dele Farotimi, over the allegations made by Farotimi in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” where he accused Babalola of corrupting the Supreme Court to secure favorable judgments for his clients. 

In the publication, Dele Farotimi accused Chief Afe Babalola (SAN)  of using his influence to manipulate judicial outcomes, alleging that Chief Afe Babalola (SAN)  corrupted the Supreme Court to secure favourable judgments for his clients in high-profile cases.

Responding to the claims, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN)  described them as baseless and defamatory.

He asserted that the allegations harmed his reputation and discredited the Nigerian judiciary. 

Tension escalated on December 3, 2024, when Dele Farotimi was arrested in Lagos State by the police on charges of criminal defamation and cyberbullying, following a petition filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state.

Following the arrest, in Lagos, Dele Farotimi was extradited to Ekiti State, where he faced a 16-count charge.

The accusations and arrests sparked public outrage and many activists and civil society organisations criticised the actions taken against Mr Dele Farotimi, viewing them as an attempt to silence dissenting voices and stifle freedom of expression. 

Protests erupted in major cities, including Ekiti state, with demonstrators demanding Farotimi’s release and calling for a broader examination of Nigeria’s judicial system.

Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary

Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) consistently defended his integrity, stating that Mr Dele Farotimi’s accusations were unfounded and aimed at tarnishing his reputation. 

By pursuing legal action, Chief Babalola (SAN)  exercised the importance of protecting his legacy and the credibility of Nigeria’s legal profession. 

After his extradition to Ekiti State, Mr Dele Farotimi and his legal team prepared a robust defence against the charges, including criminal defamation and cyberbullying.

He argued that his critiques of the judicial system were legitimate and essential for promoting accountability and justice in Nigeria.

His lawyers contested the legality of the charges, asserting they were politically motivated and aimed at intimidating him.

In the wake of his arrest, while Farotimi gained support from civil society organisations and human rights advocates, he, the same time leveraged social media to mobilise support and emphasised the importance of free speech and the need for judicial reform in Nigeria.

As of late December 2024, the case continues to unfold, while both sides stood their ground.

With the issue surviving into 2025, On January 27, prominent traditional royal rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, The Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adu Alagbado, among others convened a peace meeting with the aggrieved parties.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi particularly played a crucial role in fostering dialogue between the aggrieved parties.

Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary

During this meeting, the Oba stated, “In times like these, we must come together as a community to resolve our differences amicably. The rule of law should not suppress our voices; instead, it should protect them.” 

In response to the mounting pressure and the growing advocacy for Mr Dele Farotimi, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) agreed to withdraw the defamation lawsuit against him on January 27, 2025. 

After the withdrawal, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN)  remarked, “While we have our differences, I believe in the power of reconciliation. We must protect our legal system from being weaponised against dissent.” 

This statement showcases his acknowledgment of the implications of the case, not only for himself but for the judicial system as a whole.

Doing this, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) demonstrated the respect he has for the Ooni of Ife and other traditional leaders in mediating such disputes.

He even noted that leaders and influential people including former president Olusegun Obasanjo could not convince him initially.

After his release, Mr Dele Farotimi expressed gratitude for the support he received during the period.  He stated, “This is not just a victory for me but for all Nigerians who believe in the right to free expression. We must continue to challenge injustices in our society.” 

The resolution of the case took seven weeks from Mr. Dele Farotimi’s arrest to the withdrawal of the lawsuits.

Following the resolution of Mr. Dele Farotimi’s legal battle with Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), several developments are anticipated in the aftermath of this high-profile case. 

In light of the withdrawal of the lawsuit, there may be opportunities for continued dialogue between Mr. Dele Farotimi and Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). 

However, the aggrieved parties are expected to make public statements regarding the resolution of the case.

Mr Dele Farotimi may take the opportunity to emphasise the importance of free speech and the need to protect dissenting voices in Nigeria while Chief Afe  Babalola (SAN) might seek to clarify his position and intentions, reiterating his commitment to the integrity of the legal profession and the judiciary.

Afenifere Faction Names Dele Farotimi Nat. Organising Secretary