Renowned legal icon Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has reportedly laid down conditions for a resolution in the criminal defamation case against Lagos-based lawyer Dele Farotimi, who is currently in custody over allegations tied to his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi, a key figure in the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign, is facing charges of criminal defamation and cybercrime in both a magistrate’s court and the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti.
Earlier, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accompanied by Southwest campaign coordinator Sola Ebiseni, met with Aare Babalola in Ado-Ekiti on Monday to discuss Farotimi’s predicament.
Sources revealed that Babalola suggested two options for resolving the case by retracting the not-guilty plea. Farotimi must retract his plea and issue a public rebuttal of the alleged defamatory statements.
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Also, Aare requested a public apology that must be published in major newspapers in the country.
Babalola reportedly assured Obi that he had no personal interest in Farotimi’s detention but emphasized the need for either an apology or proof to substantiate the allegations.
Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Ado-Ekiti, where he was first arraigned before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun on criminal defamation charges.
Despite being granted bail by the Federal High Court on cybercrime charges for ₦50 million, he remains in custody due to an extended remand order by the Magistrate’s Court, which now lasts until December 20.
Before Obi’s visit, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, had reportedly reached out to Babalola to mediate.
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A source noted that Obi’s visit was independent of Farotimi’s request, as the detained lawyer insisted he did not seek intervention. Obi’s initiative was seen as an effort to support a key member of his campaign team.
Instead, Farotimi demanded the withdrawal of the case as a prerequisite for issuing an apology.
Observers believe the involvement of respected figures like Obasanjo and Kukah could pave the way for an amicable resolution.
However, it remains uncertain whether Farotimi will meet the conditions proposed by Babalola or continue to contest the charges in court.