LATEST: AFE BABALOLA DROPS ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST DELE FAROTIMI AFTER OONI'S INTERVENTION

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After Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, intervened, Aare Afe Babalola, the founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), withdrew all criminal charges against human rights attorney Dele Farotimi.

According to Babalola, who made this claim on Sunday, the Ooni and other well-known traditional leaders in the nation have stepped in.

In his book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” Farotimi claimed that the founder of the ABUAD had tainted the judiciary.

Speaking to reporters, Aare Afe Babalola stated that he is forced to follow the directives of the traditional institutions, adding that an Oba’s remark is a command in Yoruba tradition that dates back thousands of years.

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”.

Babalola had previously been urged by the Ooni to take into account the different personalities and forces that have stepped in to help resolve the issue.

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Babalola’s contributions to the advancement of the Yoruba people, the nation, and the globe at large were praised by the monarch.

“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 went off record to Newsmen verified the news.

Some of the lawyers who had their names also published in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”, however, claimed they are likely to continue their suits in court especially as they were similarly defamed.

In order to discuss, coordinate, and release a joint statement outlining their course of action, the attorneys hope to meet later today.