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Tag: Afe Babalola

  • Afe Babalola: Oyo court restrains Farotimi from further publications, sales of book

    Afe Babalola: Oyo court restrains Farotimi from further publications, sales of book

    Justice M. A. Adegbola of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday granted an interim order restraining, human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, his publishers, and their re-publishers from further publication and sale of the book titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”

    The order specifically named publishers and their re-publishers including Amazon Online Bookstore, Rovingheights Bookstore, Booksellers Bookstore, Jazzhole Lagos Bookstore, Glendora Bookshop, Quintessence Lagos Bookstore, and Patabah Books Limited.

    Read Also: Afe Babalola gives conditions for truce  with Farotimi

    Additionally, it stated that the publication, whether hard or soft copy must be stopped from further publication and sale through any mainstream or social media platform or any other means whatsoever,  pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    It would be recalled that Mr Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN instituted suit Number: I/1442/2024: Adebayo Adenipekun versus Dele Farotimi & Anor at the Oyo State High Court on Monday, 9th December 2024.

    The Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction was adjourned by the Court to 7th January 2025.

  • Afe Babalola gives conditions for truce  with Farotimi

    Afe Babalola gives conditions for truce  with Farotimi

    • Magistrate remands lawyer in prison till December 20

    For truce in the ongoing criminal defamation matter, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) might have given conditions to Dele Farotimi, it was learnt yesterday.

    The police are prosecuting Farotimi, a Lagos lawyer in Ado-Ekiti, following a petition by Chief Babalola, who alleged criminal defamation of his character  in the book: Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, written and published by Farotimi.

    Farotimi is before a Magistrate’s court and the Federal High Court both in Ado Ekiti for criminal defamation and cybercrime respectively.

    He has been remanded in Ado-Ekiti Correctional Center since last week.

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi, accompanied by the Southwest Coordinator of his campaign in that election, Mr. Sola Ebiseni, visited Chief Babalola in Ado-Ekiti on Monday over Farotimi’s ordeal. The duo also visited Farotimi where he is kept in Ado-Ekiti prison.

    Sources said yesterday that during the two-hour meeting between Obi and Chief Babalola, the legal giant reportedly gave the conditions.

    The conditions are for Farotimi to retract his not guilty plea and thereafter publish the rebuttal in major newspapers.

    It was gathered that before Obi’s visit, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah had reached out to Chief Babalola on the issue.

    Farotimi was one of the spokesmen of the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023.

    Farotimi, was arrested in Lagos last week and taken before Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun in Ado-Ekiti for criminal defamation.

    He was remanded till December 10.

    But on Monday, he was arraigned before the Federal High Court on cybercrime and subsequently granted bail for N50 million.

    Read Also: Tuggar to chair 53rd ECOWAS mediation, security council meeting

    Yesterday, when he returned to the Magistrate’s court, the remand order was extended till December 20.

    Babalola was said to have told Obi to ask Farotimi to plead guilty to the criminal defamatory charge, failing which he must prove his allegation against him.

    “Baba Afe told Obi that he (Babalola) has nothing to gain by Farotimi’s incarceration. If he says the allegations are false and offers apology in some newspapers, then, the case can be withdrawn,” a source said.

    The source added that, Farotimi, who reportedly told Obi that he did not invite anybody to plead on his behalf, demanded that the case against him be withdrawn first as pre-condition for his apology.

    Another source confirmed that the Monday’s visit of Obi and Ebiseni to Babalola was not at Farotimi’s behest but an Obi initiative.

    The source said Obi took the step to identify with a member of his presidential campaign team who is in trouble.

    It was learnt that Obi requested Ebiseni to accompany him to see Babalola.

    The source, who also confirmed the interest already shown by Obasanjo and Kukah in the matter, said he believed it would be resolved.

    Ruling in bail

    application

    reserved till Dec 20

    Farotimi will remain in prison custody till December 20 when Magistrate Adeosun will rule on his bail application.

    Babalola had petitioned the Police over aspects of the 104-page book he considered as defaming him.

    Farotimi, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge preferred against him by the Police.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, Police prosecuting counsel, Samson Osobu, opposed the appearance of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, for the defendant.

    Osobu told the court that the SAN, Olumide-Fusika, under the law, cannot appear before a magistrate’s court.

    He cited a July 16, 2024 judgment of a Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, to buttress his position.

    But in his submission, Olumide-Fusika explained that the Ekiti State magistrate court law allows lawyers, irrespective of status and title, to appear in magistrate’s  court, especially in criminal matters.

    The senior advocate urged the court to reject the argument by the prosecuting lawyer, noting that the verdict he cited might not have put into considerations all magistrate court laws across the country.

    The magistrate said he would step down his ruling in order to read the judgment cited by the prosecutor.

    He, however, asked Olumide-Fusika to step down and allow the most senior lawyer in the defendant’s team to continue the case.

    A member of the defence team, Taiwo Adedeji, continued the case on behalf of Farotimi.

    The court then adjourned the case till December 20.

    The court room and the premises were filled to capacity with crowds, many of them taking sides.

    There was even a clash outside the court by supporters of the lawyer standing trial and those against him.

  • Alleged defamation: Court set to rule on case between Farotimi, Afe Babalola

    Alleged defamation: Court set to rule on case between Farotimi, Afe Babalola

    The Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital is set for the case between Afe Babalola (SAN) and a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.

    Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos last Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command, is facing a 16-count charge of defamation stemming from allegations that he maligned Babalola’s reputation in his recently published book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

    Aare Afe Babalola had considered aspects of the 104-page book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice’ authored by Farotimi, as defaming him and petitioned the Police to take action.

    Read Also: Babalola: Sowore berates Peter Obi for seeking forgiveness for Farotimi 

    The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Monday, granted bail to the defendant, in the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun against him over alleged cybercrime.

    Farotimi arrived at the court premises on Tuesday in a police security van in the company of correctional centre officials a few minutes before 10:00 am.

    The counsels to the defendant as well as the plaintiff had been in the court awaiting the Farotimi’s arrival.

    Details shortly…

  • Obi visits Afe Babalola, Farotimi in Ado-Ekiti

    Obi visits Afe Babalola, Farotimi in Ado-Ekiti

    • Lawyer gets N50m bail
    • Steer clear of Ekiti, protesters told

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday visited the Founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

    The Nation gathered that Obi’s visit to Aare Babalola was in connection with the ongoing defamation case the legal icon preferred against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

    A top aide to the legal icon warmly received Obi for a closed-door meeting that lasted about two hours.

    Obi was accompanied by the Ondo State governorship candidate of the LP in the 2023 general election, Mr. Olusola Ebiseni.

    Sources told our reporter that the visit was at the instance of former President Olusegun Obasanjo towards finding an amicable resolution to Farotimi’s legal predicament.

    The Nation learnt that Obi also visited Farotimi at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre on Afao Road where he spoke with the human rights lawyer.

    Obi declined to address reporters after his visits to Aare Babalola and Farotimi.

    He did not answer any of the questions on his mission in Ado-Ekiti as he quietly entered his car and left the town.

    Earlier yesterday, a Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi a N50 million bail with a surety in like sum.

    Farotimi is facing a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime preferred against him by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.

    Some police officers brought the lawyer, who wore a pink shirt, to the courtroom in handcuffs.

    The lawyer was arraigned last week before a Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti for alleged defamation of character in his book, titled: Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, where he alleged, among others, that Aare Babalola had compromised the Supreme Court.

    Read Also: Afe Babalola, Farotimi: storm in judicial teacup

    The trial is expected to resume tomorrow at the Magistrates’ Court.

    The IGP filed a fresh suit against Farotimi before the Federal High Court over his alleged involvement in cybercrime.

    At the hearing yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Babs Olaniyi Kuewumi, disagreed with the prosecuting lawyer, Samson Osubu, who prayed the court not to grant bail to the defendant, as his counsel had pleaded.

    In his ruling, Justice Kuewumi granted the defendant a N50 million bail and a surety in like sum as well as having landed property in Ekiti State.

    The surety is to also provide evidence of two years’ tax clearance and a letter of consent from his bank.

    The court also ordered the defendant to submit his international passport to the court.

    It adjourned the case till January 29, 2025 for commencement of hearing.

    Also, a group, under the aegis of Justice for Afe Babalola Legacy (JABL), has warned the organisers of a planned protest for Farotimi to steer clear of Ekiti State.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, a member of the group and the Olotin of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Michael Osaloni, described the planned protest as a ploy to disrupt the peace in the state.

    A rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, had called for a protest to hold today in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja, and Kings College in London.

    But Osaloni said: “Farotimi and others are professional protesters… They want to turn the country upside down.

    “You must be prepared to face the consequences of what you say but cannot defend…

    “Let them go on. But for them to come to Ado-Ekiti, we are waiting for them, unless the police stop them. If they do it, they will suffer for it.”

    The Publicity Secretary of the group, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa, said: “This is not a case of David and Goliath. We just need to set the record straight.

    “We want to correct the misconceptions. We don’t want a situation where our icon’s image will be stained.

    “Let Dele Farotimi produce evidence of Aare Afe Babalola corrupting the judiciary. That’s our demand.”

  • BREAKING: Obi visits Afe Babalola over Farotimi’s defamation case

    BREAKING: Obi visits Afe Babalola over Farotimi’s defamation case

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi on Monday evening reportedly visited the renowned legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola in his office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital. 

    Obi was warmly received by the top aide of Babalola who subsequently ushered him in for a closed-door meeting.

    The Nation reliably gathered that Obi’s visit to Babalola was in connection with ongoing court case preferrred against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi. 

    Impeccable sources disclosed that the visit was reportedly arranged by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo towards finding amicable resolution to the legal issue. 

    it was also learnt that Obi after visiting Babalola, visited Farotimi at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre located along Afao Road, Ado-Ekiti, where he has a session with him. 

    According to findings, Obi’s visit to the human right lawyer was said to be a follow-up to his meeting with Babalola which lasted over one hour.

    Read Also: Wike advocates TETFund support for law schools

    Efforts made to speak with Obi after the one-hour meeting proved abortive as he ignored journalists, quietly entered his car, and left the premises

    The human rights lawyer was last week arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, over alleged defamation of character following his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’ where he alleged, among others, that Babalola, had compromised the Supreme Court. 

    The trial is expected to resume tomorrow at the Magistrate Court. 

    The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun also filed a fresh suit marked FHC/AD/CR/ 104/2024 against Farotimi before the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court bordering on cybercrime.

    Even though the Court granted Farotimi bail of N50m in like sum with someone with landed property in Ekiti , his team were still working on perfecting the bail conditions, as of the time of filing the report.

  • BREAKING: Ekiti Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail

    BREAKING: Ekiti Court grants Dele Farotimi N50m bail

    Dele Farotimi, a prominent human rights lawyer, has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court. 

    The bail was set at ₦50 million, with the condition that a surety must provide the same amount and own a landed property.

    The court has adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings.

    Farotimi’s legal challenges stem from a defamation suit filed by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who accused him of making defamatory statements in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

    Read Also: Afe Babalola, Farotimi: storm in judicial teacup

    The 95-year-old legal luminary alleged that Farotimi’s claims tarnished his reputation. 

    In response to the allegations, the Ekiti State Police Command arrested Farotimi, sparking widespread public backlash.

    Civil society organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have condemned the arrest, arguing that it undermines free speech and raises concerns about the state of justice in Nigeria.

  • Afe Babalola, Farotimi: storm in judicial teacup

    Afe Babalola, Farotimi: storm in judicial teacup

    Last Tuesday, lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, was arrested and driven by road to Ekiti State where he was arraigned on Wednesday in a Magistrate Court for criminal defamation of Afe Babalola, senior lawyer, elder statesman and educationist. The defamation was allegedly contained in Mr Farotimi’s July 2024 book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. He faces a 16-count charge at a Magistrate Court, and another 12-count charge filed on Friday at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. The charge sheets have been published by many newspapers. The book has also reportedly climbed the number one bestseller list on Amazon on the elections category, and exceeded 500 on the general list. His arrest and arraignment were at the instance of a petition by Chief Babalola.

    It is not unusual for anyone to defame another person, or be charged in court, or remanded by a magistrate, for no one is above the law. But by turning the arrest and remand of Mr Farotimi into a cause celebre, a storm in a teacup as it were, activists and lawyers, including surprisingly the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), are suggesting that it is okay to abridge court processes by activism and that individuals do not have the right to seek remedy for their injured reputation. Instead of ensuring that justice is done, human rights activists are calling for the release of the defendant and planning protests for sometime this week to force the hands of the police and the courts.

    If the case is to be discontinued, either for jurisdictional reasons or any other reason for that matter, it will have to be through court processes, not activism. The listing of the book on Amazon and its global dissemination will serve as grist to the mill, whether the case is civil defamation or criminal defamation. Some activists complain about the style of Mr Farotimi’s arrest. But the law enforcement agencies probably approached the matter from criminal defamation as well as Cybercrimes perspective. According to Chief Babalola’s petition, the book contains multiple instances of Mr Farotimi’s defamatory generalisations, including how the complainant allegedly corrupted the Supreme Court and procured judgements. They are the kind of views that make for explosive and enjoyable reading, but they are views, if unproven, that wound victims deeply and tear their reputations to pieces. Regardless of the outcome of the case, it seems guaranteed that the storm will last for a very long time. Mr Farotimi may bank on the unassailability of being the underdog in this case, but opinions are divided on the propriety of what he had to say and how he said those things Chief Babalola considered injurious to his reputation. Worse, many lawyers, when they can restrain themselves from throwing caviar to the general, are left puzzled about what kind of legal training propels an author and lawyer to pen such scathing remarks about anyone.

    Read Also: Demand for reforms in Nigeria’s hospital equipment sector intensifies

    Many human rights organisations have rallied to the side of Mr Farotimi. But they have not shown cause why the case should not be entertained, or why Chief Babalola should not defend his reputation the best way he knows, while he is still alive at 95 years old. It is suggested that defamation cases are like quicksand, where unexpected and probably tangential stories and facts might be unearthed and pleaded to the detriment of the complainant. Regardless of these fears, and judging from the trenchancy of the remarks penned by Mr Farotimi, the complainant will undoubtedly take his chances in court. Not going to court is not an option, considering the weighty claims levelled against him. And beyond standing with Chief Babalola or supporting Mr Farotimi, it may be time for Nigerians to stand for the rule of law, despite the judicial system’s weaknesses, rather than tolerate the anarchic proclivity of activists who protest against everything because they suspect everything and denigrate everyone.

  • Babalola seeks inclusion of private universities in students loan 

    Babalola seeks inclusion of private universities in students loan 

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has faulted exclusion of students in private universities  from  the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, initiative of the Federal Government. 

    Babalola, who described the exclusion of private universities’ students from the students loan as unjust, called for their inclusion in the scheme. 

    The legal luminary spoke on Thursday at the International Hydrogen Summit 2024, held at the ABUAD campus, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. 

    He said: “TETFund was established by the Federal Government. Its source of fund is money collected from private organisations. We all know that private universities are precluded from accessing funds from TETFund.

    “Recently, the federal government established the Students Loan Scheme. Again, students from private universities are precluded. Are they not Nigerians? Again, what have you done about it?

    “Federal government gives money to public universities for research. I am not aware of any university (private or public) which has achieved more in research than ABUAD. Yet, ABUAD has not benefited from the government in this regard.”

    In his keynote address at the occasion, the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, said the country is at a critical juncture where it must transition to cleaner energy sources in a just and equitable manner.

    Read Also: NELFUND lists 6 institutions to receive students loan

    According to the Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Research Institute of Nigeria, Zachariah Buba, with 45 per cent of the population of Nigeria lacking access to the national electricity grid and more than 50 per cent of her households energy poor, green hydrogen has become the way out, saying it would also help the country to lead in the global decarbonisation effort.

    He said: “This green hydrogen initiative is aligned with our broader climate goals, particularly Nigeria’s commitment under the Paris Agreement and our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to voluntarily cut emissions by 20% by 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario.

    “The development of green hydrogen will serve as a critical tool in achieving our long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.”

    In his remarks, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, noted that the green hydrogen initiative is more than just meeting the nation’s energy needs but an opportunity to position the country as a leader in the hydrogen economy.

    Oyebanji who was represented by his wife, Olayemi Oyebanji, added that green hydrogen can help decarbonise industries that have been hard to clean up, such as heavy manufacturing, transportation, aviation companies.

  • Afe Babalola is one of Africa’s greatest, says cleric

    Afe Babalola is one of Africa’s greatest, says cleric

    The Planter of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu Alo, has praised Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the Chancellor and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), as one of Africa’s greatest figures.

    Prophet Alo made this declaration while extolling the virtues of Babalola following the recent approval by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, and his wife, Eyesorun Bosede Adejugbe, to designate October 18 as an annual celebration of the legal luminary’s contributions.

    In a statement, Prophet Alo emphasised Aare Babalola’s unmatched impact on African society, saying: “Aare Bamofin Afe Babalola is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Africans, striding the earthly pedestal like a colossus. His influence and generosity have transformed the lives of millions of Nigerians and Africans.”

    Read Also: Afe Babalola Day: ‘Legal giant a deserving recipient’

    The cleric commended the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and his wife for their decision to honor Babalola with a dedicated day of celebration, remarking: “It is a well-deserved honour. This decision is warmly received by all of us from Ekiti, as well as by Nigerians and Africans at large.”

    Prophet Alo further highlighted Babalola’s dedication to humanity: “Aare Babalola lives solely for humanity. His ideas, entrepreneurship, and legal practice significantly impact people from all walks of life, whether they are rich, middle-class, or from the lower strata of society. His work has greatly benefited Nigerians and Africans,”

    He also recognised Babalola’s establishment of ABUAD as a monumental achievement, providing top-tier education to young Africans and creating numerous employment opportunities.

    “While others build industries outside their home states, Aare Babalola brought his vast investments back to his hometown, uplifting thousands of people in Ekiti, Nigeria, and Africa.”

    The cleric acknowledged Babalola’s wife, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, as a vital support in his success: “She is the biblical rock of Gibraltar, standing solidly behind Aare Afe Babalola.”

  • Afe Babalola Day: ‘Legal giant a deserving recipient’

    Afe Babalola Day: ‘Legal giant a deserving recipient’

    The International Law Association (ILA) has congratulated the Chancellor and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) on the  proclamation of October 18 as Afe Babalola Day. 

    The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, by royal proclamation, had on August 23, 2024, directed that: “The Pride of Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola should be honoured and celebrated with pomp and pageantry on every 18th day of October with effect from 2024 and this shall henceforth be celebrated annually.” 

    By this royal gesture, Aare  Babalola, who is also the founding Patron of the ILA  and a distinguished member of the Bar of England and Wales, becomes  one of the handful of Nigerians ever to be so honoured.

    The President of the ILA, Nigeria, who is also a United Nations Independent Expert, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, (SAN),  congratulated the foremost lawyer and a philanthropist and ranked by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as number one in Nigeria for impact for three consecutive years: 2022, 2023 and 2024,  Prof Olawuyi’s commendation was contained in a letter of congratulations sent to Aare Afe Babalola.

    Read Also: Shut down tertiary institutions operating below standard, Afe Babalola urges govt

    According to Prof. Olawuyi,  “Aare Afe Babalola’s remarkable journey as a renowned advocate, farmer, philanthropist, educator, bridge builder, author and global citizen is an inspirational example of everything we strive to do as international lawyers: to advance global peace, to empower, and to give back to the poorest of the society.

    “His outstanding dedication to educational reform, relentless quest for justice, and exemplary devotion to lifting others through his matchless record of philanthropy make him a deserving recipient of such a rare and prestigious honour.

    “We are so proud of our Patron, and we earnestly look forward to organizing a World Press Conference on October 18 to celebrate the Afe Babalola Day.”