Popular Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola has disclosed his intention to withdraw the defamation suit against his colleague and activist, Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi was arrested after Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that the former defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.
After standing trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, and for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court, Farotimi was released on bail.
Addressing the case after the mediation of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and other traditional rulers, Babalola said he had agreed to withdraw the case.
“I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case,” he stated.
“The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.
“If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered.
“I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.
“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.
“The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. When Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes.
“Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it,” Babalola added.