The founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has dropped all criminal accusations against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi following the mediation of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Babalola who expressed this on Sunday, said the Ooni and other prominent conventional rulers in the country had mediated.
Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, where he claimed that the ABUAD pioneer debased the Judiciary.
Aare Afe Babalola while addressing journalists noted that he has no choice but to submit to the commandments of the traditional institutions, adding that the assertion of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is an order.
In his words, “I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why anyone would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.
“I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment, I am happy each time I give”.
The Ooni had before engaged to Babalola to consider the different forces and personalities that have mediated with regard to this issue.
The ruler hailed Babalola and complimented his commitment to the improvement of the Yoruba race, the Country and the world at large.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him, and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and concurred.
“We Obas can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.
“Aare Afe Babalola has demonstrated to the world that he treasured his name and the world has definitely heard him loud and clear.
“Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children”.
Some of the legal counsellors who had their names also likewise referenced in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, however, notwithstanding, kept up with they are probably going to proceed with their cases in court particularly as they were similarly slandered.
The legal counsellors are looking to meet later to deliberate, blend and issue a joint statement on how they will continue.
