Dele Farotimi Faces Two Lawsuits Despite Afe Babalola’s Case Withdrawal

Barely a week after Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Afe Babalola withdrew his lawsuits against lawyer and rights activist Mr. Dele Farotimi, concerns persist over other pending legal actions against him. Despite Babalola’s withdrawal, Farotimi still faces significant lawsuits from other lawyers seeking over ₦1 billion in damages, raising further legal uncertainty around his case.

Two Fresh Lawsuits Seek Over ₦1 Billion in Damages

Following the controversy surrounding his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, Dele Farotimi is now facing lawsuits from two senior lawyers linked to Afe Babalola & Co. On December 6, 2024, SAN Kehinde Ogunwumiju filed a lawsuit against Farotimi at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, alleging defamation. Ogunwumiju claimed that statements in the book misrepresented him and sought ₦500 million in damages while urging the court to halt the book’s publication and remove it from both physical and online bookstores.

In addition to financial compensation, Ogunwumiju demanded that all copies of the book be seized wherever they might be found. Furthermore, he insisted that Farotimi must publish a public apology in two national newspapers, further intensifying the legal pressure on the activist.

Just days later, on December 11, 2024, another lawyer from Babalola’s law firm, Mr. Ola Faro, also sued Farotimi at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt. Faro claimed that the activist defamed him, Babalola, and their law firm by alleging in his book that they compromised the integrity of the Supreme Court. He demanded ₦500 million in damages for defamation and an additional ₦100 million for distributing the book, bringing the total damages sought against Farotimi to over ₦1 billion.

Police Drop Cybercrime Charges but Defamation Case Continues

While Afe Babalola withdrew his cases against Farotimi following interventions from prominent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, legal proceedings against the activist are far from over. During a hearing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, January 31, 2025, police prosecutor Samson Osobu applied to withdraw the cybercrime charges, signaling an end to that aspect of the legal battle.

However, the defamation charges against Farotimi remain active. The criminal defamation case filed by the police at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti is still scheduled for February 13, 2025. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation of a withdrawal, leaving uncertainty over the outcome of the case.

Dele Farotimi’s Arrest and Police Investigation

Dele Farotimi’s legal troubles began when he was arrested in Lagos on December 3, 2024, following a petition filed with the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police. The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abutu Sunday, confirmed the arrest, stating that the activist was detained on allegations of defamation of character and cyberbullying.

According to the police, efforts to invite Dele Farotimi for questioning were unsuccessful, prompting them to obtain a warrant for his arrest. This development heightened public interest in the case, with many Nigerians questioning the severity of the legal actions against the activist. His supporters argue that the lawsuits are an attempt to silence dissenting voices, while others believe that he must be held accountable if his statements were indeed defamatory.

Growing Public Interest and Legal Implications

The lawsuits against Dele Farotimi have sparked debates within Nigeria’s legal and human rights communities. While some observers view the legal actions as a legitimate means of protecting reputations and upholding the law, others believe that the multiple lawsuits and high damages claims could set a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression.

As the court cases progress, many Nigerians are closely watching the legal battles unfold. The outcomes of these lawsuits could reshape discussions on defamation laws, cybercrime regulations, and the limits of free speech in Nigeria. With the February 13 hearing fast approaching, all eyes remain on the judiciary to determine the next phase of this high-profile legal battle.