- Committee rules defamation claims fall outside professional misconduct jurisdiction
- Aggrieved parties urged to seek redress in regular courts
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition by Chief Afe Babalola’s Emmanuel Chambers seeking to revoke the law license of prominent lawyer and author, Tomilola Farotimi, popularly known as Dele Farotimi. The petition alleged criminal defamation and professional misconduct stemming from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Criminal Justice System.
The petition, filed by lawyer Ola Faro, accused Farotimi of defaming the Supreme Court and the legal profession by alleging corruption and unethical practices in the judiciary. However, the LPDC ruled that the claims pertained to Farotimi’s role as an author rather than as a legal practitioner.
LPDC Chairman, Justice Isaq Usman Bello, explained, “The publication is an intellectual property and not a conduct or action committed while practicing as a legal practitioner. All aggrieved parties who find the publication ‘defamatory’ should ventilate their grievances through the regular courts.”
The book at the center of the controversy referenced case number SC/146/2006, involving Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye, alleging corruption and bribery in the judiciary. Emmanuel Chambers argued that the publication distorted facts, disrespected legal professionals, and obstructed justice for personal gain.
The firm also cited violations of the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners and demanded Farotimi’s removal from the Roll of Legal Practitioners. However, the LPDC’s ruling emphasized its jurisdictional limitations, noting that it could not adjudicate issues unrelated to professional practice.
The committee’s decision leaves Emmanuel Chambers and other aggrieved parties with the option of pursuing the matter through conventional court processes. Meanwhile, Farotimi’s book continues to spark debate about accountability and ethics within Nigeria’s legal system.
