Following the intervention of a delegation led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Sunday night, renowned legal icon Afe Babalola has announced his decision to withdraw the defamation suit against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Ooni visited the elder statesman at his residence at Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) to plead with him to withdraw the suit against Dele Farotimi, TVC reveals.
The Ooni, who arrived at ABUAD at about 10.30 pm, was accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti and Olojudo of Ido- Ekiti among others.
Chief Afe Babalola had sued Farotimi in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court following Farotimi’s publication of a book which allegedly defamed him.
The Ooni had said Yoruba leaders and the traditional institution had been following the development keenly.
The traditional ruler said that he and others resolved to intervene so that Babalola, ” can pardon his son, Farotimi.”
He commended the legal icon for building his integrity over the years and urged him not to relent following the development.
In his response, Babalola said he had received several letters as well as calls on the issue from eminent Nigerians asking him to withdraw the suit.
