“I'm Still Facing 4 Lawsuits from Afe Babalola’s Firm,” Dele Farotimi Alleges

“I'm Still Facing 4 Lawsuits from Afe Babalola’s Firm,” Dele Farotimi Alleges

  • Dele Farotimi has disclosed that he is still battling four separate cases filed by the Aare Afe Babalola law firm in different states, despite the withdrawal of criminal charges against him
  • The rights activist and lawyer was earlier imprisoned over allegations of criminal defamation linked to his book, Nigeria and Criminal Justice System
  • Speaking after regaining freedom, Farotimi maintained that his book was a well-researched work not based on personal observations or speculations

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi has lamented that he is still in court, battling with four separate suits filed by members of the Aare Afe Babalola law firm in four different states.

Dele Farotimi says he is still in court with Babalola's law office
Dele Farotimi speaks on ongoing legal battles with Babalola's law office. Photo credit: @DeleFarotimi, Afe Babalola University
Source: Twitter

Farotimi made this known on Sunday, February 16, 2025, on the Toyin Falola Interviews.

Legit.ng reported that Dele Farotimi was released from an Ekiti prison after being remanded over alleged defamation.

Read also

Kwara cleric shares how ‘Facebook lover’ died from Asthma, explains why he dismembered her

Chief Afe Babalola’s law firm had accused Farotimi of criminal defamation and professional misconduct in his book, Nigeria and Criminal Justice System.

Interestingly, Aare Afe Babalola, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti, agreed to drop the defamatory suit against Farotimi.

However, despite Babalola’s withdrawal of the criminal charges against him, Farotimi disclosed that he is still facing four civil suits.

He said:

“My inability to speak to certain aspects of this issue is borne out of the fact that, despite the discontinuation of the criminal proceeding, I still have four suits that I am aware of in four different states of the federation, filed by members of the same law office, against my person.”

Farotimi speaks on controversy surrounding his book

Speaking further, Farotimi dismissed the controversy surrounding his book and insisted it was not based on idle talks or beer parlor gist.

Read also

Ilorin emir sends message to imams after killing of lady who went to meet 'ritualist' Facebook lover

As reported by Vanguard, he added that it was a well-researched work documenting his experiences and observations about the Nigerian judicial system.

“I did not sit down in a beer parlour; I was not at an officers’ mess; I was not gossiping. It was not idle, cheap talk. I wrote a book. Let us deal with veracity. Anybody can go and read and then come back and challenge me with the lie that I have told,” Farotimi maintained.

Nigerians react as Farotimi laments more legal battles

As usual, Nigerians took to the comment section on X and reacted to the development. Legit.ng compiled a few reactions below:

@seunlazo tweeted:

"Why telling us, did you consult us before writing the book."

@Gorilla23mp tweeted:

"I thought he said he has withdraw all charges against you?"

@adebadejo tweeted:

"It wasn't Afe Babalola alone he defamed. There are other lawyers in that firm that he mentioned in his book, I believe. Those ones are carrying on the mantle."

Read also

"She was lucky": Popular public analyst reacts as UNIZIK expels 'unruly' female student who assaulted lecturer

@kingkhone4real tweeted:

"The legal battle will surely consume you."

Read about Farotimi vs Babalola here:

Dele Farotimi gets regional appointment

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Afenifere faction led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo has appointed Dele Farotimi as the group's national organising secretary.

Farotimi's appointment was approved at Adebanjo's residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun, where the faction held its general meeting on Tuesday, January 28.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.

Tags: