By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Renowned legal icon and elder statesman, Afe Babalola, has announced his decision to withdraw the criminal defamation suit he filed against rights activist and author, Dele Farotimi.
The decision follows an appeal led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers during a late-night visit to Babalola’s residence at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).
The case, which arose from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, alleged that the publication defamed Babalola.
Despite the court granting Farotimi a N30 million bail, Babalola has now chosen to discontinue the proceedings.
Intervention by Eminent Nigerians and Traditional Rulers, the Ooni of Ife, accompanied by other prominent Yoruba monarchs such as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, and Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, personally visited Babalola to plead for forgiveness.
The Ooni, who arrived at ABUAD at about 10.30 pm, was accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers.
The Ooni described Farotimi as “a son” and urged Babalola to extend mercy.
In addition to the traditional rulers, other notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah, reached out to Babalola through letters and calls, urging him to withdraw the case.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria emphasised that he had no personal gain in pursuing the imprisonment of Farotimi, stating that he have nothing to gain in Farotimi being jailed.
Babalola acknowledged the significance of the Yoruba leaders’ intervention and their commitment to maintaining unity and harmony within the community.
The meeting between Babalola and the traditional rulers, which concluded at midnight, ended with Babalola assuring them that he would instruct his lawyers to formally withdraw the case.
Nigerian Tribune