Olu Daramola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and partner at Afe Babalola’s law chamber, has initiated a legal action for defamation, seeking N500 million in damages, against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi).
Farotimi was slammed over alleged defamatory content in his recently published book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.
The lawsuit was filed at the Ojodu Abiodun division of the Ogun State High Court, just one month after a similar defamation suit was filed by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) regarding the same book.
The writ of summons, marked HCO/65/24 and dated December 13, 2024, was submitted on behalf of Daramola by his lawyer, Iheanyichukwu C. Uwa.
In his claim, Daramola is asking the court to declare that certain passages on page 64 of the book are defamatory and have damaged his reputation.
He argues that the words in question, which were widely circulated both within Nigeria and internationally, have brought him public ridicule, disrespect, and disrepute.
He further asserts that the content falsely portrays him in a derogatory light, tarnishing his standing as a reputable, competent, and trustworthy legal professional.
As part of his reliefs, Daramola is seeking an award of N500,000,000 in exemplary and general damages.
He also demands that Farotimi issue a public apology for the defamatory statements, to be published in The Guardian and The Punch, or any other widely circulated national newspapers, retracting the libelous statements in the book.
Additionally, Daramola is requesting an order for the immediate recall and destruction of all copies of the book—whether in print or digital format—currently circulating in Nigeria, including those in bookstores, libraries, online platforms, and social media.
The claimant has also sought a permanent injunction prohibiting Farotimi, his associates, or anyone connected to him from further publishing or distributing the defamatory book in any format.
Finally, Daramola is requesting that any judgment sum awarded to him in this case attract an interest rate of 10% per annum from the date of the court’s decision until fully paid.
The court has not yet set a hearing date for the matter, as the defendant, who is currently detained by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), has not filed a response to the suit.
