Farotimi reacts as Afe Babalola withdraws defamation lawsuit

Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has spoken out following the withdrawal of a defamation lawsuit against him by legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN).

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria reportedly made the decision to drop the case on Monday after interventions by prominent traditional rulers.

Farotimi had earlier been arrested by the police after Afe Babalola filed a petition accusing him of defamation in his book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” The case had sparked significant public attention due to the high-profile individuals involved.

In response to the news of the lawsuit being dropped, Farotimi took to his official X handle to emphasize the importance of due process and the rule of law.

He wrote:
“Anything short of due process and the rule of law, (however imperfect it be) imperils all. However necessary the war against corruption might be, and I agree that it is: it is by far more corrupt and corruptive, to fight corruption corruptly.”

https://x.com/DeleFarotimi/status/1883809306249970175?t=2SrrxRd8fhcqT7VPxYkETw&s=19

The withdrawal of the case has been widely discussed online, with many lauding the intervention of the monarchs and the resolution of the dispute.