The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition from Emmanuel Chambers, a law firm owned by Afe Babalola, seeking the disbarment of lawyer and author Dele Farotimi.
The petition accused Farotimi of criminal defamation and professional misconduct linked to his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Emmanuel Chambers claimed that Farotimi defamed Babalola and disrespected the Supreme Court by alleging corruption and unethical practices in a case referenced in his book. The petition further accused Farotimi of distorting facts and obstructing justice for personal gain.
However, LPDC Chairman Justice Isaq Bello announced in Abuja on Tuesday that the committee lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as the allegations were tied to Farotimi’s role as an author, not his conduct as a practising lawyer.
The LPDC’s report emphasised, “The publication is an intellectual property and not a conduct or action committed while practising as a Legal Practitioner. All aggrieved parties who find the publication ‘defamatory’ should ventilate their grievances through the regular courts.”