Rotimi Idris
The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has dropped all criminal suit against human rights activist, Dele Farotimi.
Babalola disclosed this at a press conference jointly addressed by himself and the Ooni of ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on behalf of other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday evening.
Other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers at the conference were the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado, and the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju.
The legal luminary said he decided to drop the criminal defamation charges against the Lagos based human rights activist following the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and other prominent traditional rulers in the country.
Recalled that Farotimi had published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that the elder statesman corrupted the Judiciary.
Aare Babalola said he had ignored interventions from different monarchs and personalities within and outside the country, but had to yield to the appeals 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 any one 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”.
Addressing journalists, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi 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”.