Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has said that public outcry and media campaigns will not deter the legal pursuit against Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, over allegations of defamation and cyberbullying.
Babalola, through his law firm, Afe Babalola & Co., emphasized that the legal action aims to address alleged falsehoods propagated by Farotimi and ensure accountability for his statements.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti state police command following a petition alleging defamation and cyberbullying. His arrest, tied to claims made in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, has sparked widespread criticism on social media and calls for his release from political figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement released on Friday, Afe Babalola & Co., represented by Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN, firmly stated their commitment to pursuing justice, despite the media backlash.
“We have observed the rising calls and criticisms surrounding this case,” the statement read. “But no amount of street yelling or media tactics will deter us from addressing the falsity of Mr. Farotimi’s allegations and holding him accountable for his deliberate attack on the reputation of our founder, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CFR, SAN.”
The firm clarified that their silence in the face of such accusations could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt, which necessitated legal action.
“If we do not take action against these false, reckless, and malicious statements, it will be interpreted as acceptance of these baseless claims. The freedom to speak is not freedom from the consequences of speech, and we will pursue lawful means to protect our integrity.”
Following his arrest, Farotimi was arraigned on Wednesday at the Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, where he pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge. He was subsequently remanded in custody. His detention has led to significant online protests, with figures like Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, calling for a nationwide demonstration against the judiciary’s handling of the case.
Farotimi had earlier accused the Ekiti police command of attempting to “abduct” him from Lagos through dubious means, despite his compliance with previous police invitations.
In their response, Afe Babalola & Co. emphasized their respect for the rule of law and confidence in the justice system.
“Unlike Mr. Farotimi, we believe in the justice delivery system every time—not only when it favors us,” the firm said. “In over sixty years of practice, we have faced and lost to many lawyers in court. Their victories disprove Mr. Farotimi’s baseless allegations against our practice.”
The statement also highlighted the creation of the ministry’s strong adherence to legal principles.
“Fundamental human rights are enshrined in the constitution, and our firm has championed these rights for over six decades. However, these rights are not absolute. Accountability is key, and we are confident the law will prevail at the end of this process—not media sensationalism or street protests.”
Afe Babalola & Co. concluded by affirming their resolve to see the case through while refraining from discussing the specifics of the matter, as it is now sub judice.
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