- Renowned Lawyer Accuses Author of Criminal Defamation in Published Work
- Allegations of Judicial Misconduct Spark Legal Action Against Activist
Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola, has filed a petition accusing author and activist Dele Farotimi of criminal defamation. The allegations stem from statements made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, and during media interviews promoting the publication.
Babalola claims the book contains defamatory statements against him, his law firm Afe Babalola & Co., and two of its lawyers, Olu Daramola SAN and Ola Faro. These allegations revolve around a high-profile land dispute, Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & Ors v. H.R.H Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors, decided by the Supreme Court in 2013.
According to the petition, the book accuses Babalola and his team of corrupting the Supreme Court to secure a favorable judgment for their client. It also alleges judicial fraud in the execution and variation of the court’s judgment, which granted statutory rights over 254 hectares of land in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, to the Eletu family.
Babalola refuted these claims, highlighting that his firm acted within the bounds of the law. He detailed the Supreme Court’s initial ruling and its subsequent variation in March 2014, which clarified the rights of his clients.
The petition outlines specific excerpts from the book deemed defamatory, including:
- Accusations that Babalola and his law firm manipulated the judiciary to serve corrupt ends.
- Claims that the judgment variation process was a fraudulent act orchestrated by Babalola’s team.
- Allegations of collusion between Babalola, court officials, and other legal professionals to pervert justice.
The petition also references Farotimi’s interviews on Channels TV and social media, where he reiterated the book’s claims. Babalola asserts that these statements have caused reputational harm, prompting calls from colleagues and the public questioning his integrity.
In his petition, Babalola called for an immediate investigation, attaching court judgments and rulings related to the case to substantiate his claims of professional conduct.
This dispute adds to growing controversies surrounding the Nigerian justice system, with allegations of judicial corruption and malpractice often making headlines. Farotimi, known for his outspoken criticism of governance in Nigeria, is yet to formally respond to the petition.
The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for defamation suits involving high-profile legal practitioners and authors critiquing institutional systems.
