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The founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has dropped all criminal charges against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi following the intervention of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Babalola who stated this on Sunday, said the Ooni and other prominent traditional rulers in the country had intervened.
Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, where he alleged that the ABUAD founder corrupted the Judiciary.
Addressing journalists, Aare Afe Babalola noted that he has no choice but to obey the commandments of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.
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 earlier appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter.
The monarch hailed Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation 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 agreed.
“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 proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has 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 lawyers in the case who spoke off record to Channels Television confirmed the development.
Some of the lawyers who had their names also mentioned in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, however, maintained they are likely to continue their cases in court especially as they were equally defamed.
The lawyers are looking to meet later today to deliberate, harmonise and issue a joint statement on how they will proceed.
