Dele Farotimi, lawyer and human rights activist, has stated that even though criminal charges against him were withdrawn, he is still exploring his options concerning his 21-day incarceration and ongoing legal battles.
In an appearance on The Duke Rants podcast, Farotimi was asked how he would respond if he encountered Chief Afe Babalola. He replied, “Like a good Yoruba boy, I’ll give him his salutations. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still considering my options regarding what I went through.”
Pressed further about his options, Farotimi shared, “All the avenues available to a person who was unlawfully kidnapped from his office and charged for a non-existent crime are still on the table.”
Farotimi detailed the irregularities surrounding his arrest, pointing out the unlawful actions of law enforcement officers. “Policemen crossed five state lines, entered a sixth state — from Ekiti to Ondo, to Osun, to Oyo, to Ogun, and then into Lagos. Someone must explain why I was incarcerated for 21 days,” he said.
Despite Babalola’s decision to withdraw his petition in February, Farotimi revealed that he still faces four separate lawsuits filed by members of Babalola’s law firm across different states. “Even though the criminal case was dropped, there are still four suits filed against me in different states,” he stated.
Farotimi’s legal issues began after Babalola alleged that he defamed him in his book *Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System*. Following his arrest, Farotimi faced charges of criminal defamation in Ekiti State Magistrate Court and cyber-bullying in the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.
On January 27, Babalola withdrew the cases after interventions by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other traditional rulers. However, Farotimi’s legal challenges remain unresolved.
Farotimi strongly defended his book, clarifying that it was based on research and personal experiences. “I did not sit in a beer parlour, gossiping. I wrote a book,” he declared, emphasizing the factual basis of his work. “Anyone can read it and challenge me if they believe I have lied.”
He further stated that the issue was not about his personal reputation but about the state of Nigeria’s legal system. “This is not a trial of Dele Farotimi. This is about the legal system we have built as a nation,” he said.
Farotimi clarified that his book was not intended as a personal attack on Babalola, but a critique of systemic corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary. “Chief Afe Babalola is old enough to be my father. I did not aim to destroy him or tarnish his reputation. My focus was on the institution of the judiciary.”
Despite his ongoing legal battles, Farotimi remains committed to standing by his work and seeking justice for the injustices he has faced.
