Afe Babalola not persecuting Dele Farotimi, group insists

Another urges lawyer’s release, says prosecution undermining law on free speech

A group of loyalists of the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola (SAN), under the auspices of Justice for Afe Babalola Legacy, has debunked reports making the round that the human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, is being persecuted by the elder statesman.

The group said that the legal tussle against Farotimi was to protect the hard-earned reputation and legacies of Babalola that has contributed to the development of the nation’s judicial system in the last sixty years.

Publicity Secretary of the group, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa and the Convener, Femi Alufa, while addressing journalists, at the weekend, in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, said that contrary to the insinuations in the public space, the legal process would be pursued to logical conclusion towards ensuring justice for either side in the case.

Meanwhile, another group, the Open Society on Justice Reform Project (OSJRP), has expressed concerns over the criminal defamation charges instituted against Farotimi by Babalola under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

The group, which urged the stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s democratic ideals, called for Farotimi’s release, noting that his continued prosecution undermines the spirit of free speech and justice and offends the provision of the Constitution.

Executive Director, OSJRP, Samuel Akpologun, who spoke on the issue, said there is an urgent need to address the criminalisation of libel and Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, both of which pose significant threats to freedom of speech and civic engagement in Nigeria.

He said: “By resorting to criminal proceedings to vent his grouse with Dele Farotimi, Afe Babalola (SAN) would be setting a dangerous precedent for public officials and politically-exposed persons to use the same method to gag critical and undermine the judiciary integrity.

“Chief Afe Babalola’s legacy stands as a beacon of legal excellence. His actions must align with principles of justice and human rights, promoting a judiciary that safeguards free speech, fosters robust public discourse, and reflects international best practices.

“OSJRP has, therefore, called on the courts to vehemently resist granting convictions based on criminal defamation provisions and make it difficult for public officials to gag critics and undermine the judiciary’s integrity.”