The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere,[/b] has addressed Nigerians, urging them to remain calm and allow the judiciary to handle the ongoing criminal defamation case involving prominent legal practitioner, Dele Farotimi, impartially and with due process.
This case has garnered widespread attention across the nation, with Chief Afe Babalola, a revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria and elder statesman, lodging the defamation complaint against Farotimi. Reports reveal that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) filed the charges following allegations that Farotimi’s 104-page book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice, contained defamatory content directed at Chief Babalola.
The book, which has gained significant traction both locally and internationally, is reportedly available in Ekiti State, where Chief Babalola resides. The plaintiff claims that the book’s publication has caused significant harm to his reputation, prompting legal action.
Farotimi, a well-known Nigerian activist and legal practitioner, was arrested in Lagos last week and subsequently transferred to Ekiti State to face the charges. His initial court appearance took place at a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti on Monday. Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun presided over the hearing, where Farotimi’s bail application was denied, and he was remanded in custody until December 10, pending further proceedings.
In response to the unfolding events, several advocacy groups and concerned citizens have mobilized, planning large-scale protests to demand Farotimi’s immediate release. The protests are scheduled to take place on December 10 in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and Ekiti State, underscoring the public’s heightened interest in the case and calls for justice.
Addressing these developments, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, reaffirmed the group’s belief in the judiciary as the proper avenue for resolving such disputes. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public order while allowing the legal process to unfold without interference.
“The court is the proper platform for determining and protecting the rights of individuals while ensuring justice is served fairly,” Ajayi stated. He urged all parties involved to avoid any actions or statements that could incite unrest or disrupt public peace.
Ajayi further called on the government and all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law, ensuring that the judiciary operates without bias or external pressures. He stressed that the Nigerian constitution clearly designates the courts as the rightful body for adjudicating disputes and delivering justice.
“We enjoin all parties to conduct themselves in total submission to and respect for the rule of law,” Ajayi added, reiterating Afenifere’s commitment to fostering peace, justice, and the preservation of democratic principles in Nigeria.
As the nation awaits further developments in the case, Afenifere has appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and trust the judiciary’s ability to handle the matter with fairness and impartiality, emphasizing the critical need for unity and stability in these trying times.
